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We have quantum mechanics, a model of the universe that makes predictions with absurd levels of accuracy. Yet we don’t really understand “why” it works—-I don’t
by zeroonetwothree 3y ago
We have quantum mechanics, a model of the universe that makes predictions with absurd levels of accuracy. Yet we don’t really understand “why” it works—-I don’t think we can claim that we really “understand” the universe.
This disproves the claim that making accurate predictions implies understanding. Or perhaps a better way to put it is that the model has some understanding but a model doesn’t necessarily reflect underlying truth.
- raincom 3y agoBest examples come from medicine. There are many drugs that work, but we don't understand how they work. For example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Drugs_with_unknown_mechanisms_of_action https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Drugs_with_unknown_me...
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- marginalia_nu 3y agoWhat are you even asking when you're asking why it works. Ultimately, it works the way it does because that's the way things are. I'm not sure what sort of answers you expect when asking why physics acts in a particular fashion. Also here's Feynman ranting about why questions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36GT2zI8lVA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36GT2zI8lVA
- firebaze 3y agoAsking "why" may lead to really new physics, though. I assume the reason for discovering the theory of relativity was asking "Why is the speed of light constant in all directions".
- marginalia_nu 3y agoMy point is, why isn't really a question that makes sense. There isn't a "why" the speed of light is constant and isotropic. The answers you typically see for that question is just different ways of saying the same thing; there is no causal relationship. In the end, it just is. There are things that must be true if this is the case, and things that can't be true if this is the case.
- firebaze 3y agoWithout asking "why is the speed of light constant", you wouldn't discover the reason. The reason is that space is not just space, but space-time. There is not always as discoverable reason behind a physical phenomenon, but sometimes there is. Not asking why altogether isn't a good approach in my view. But I understand your perspective.
- overactor 3y agoMaking accurate predictions in a specific domain doesn't imply understanding, sure. Universal autocomplete can make accurate predictions in all domains. Apples to oranges.
- xcv123 3y agoBy "understanding" he simply means it builds a model of higher order abstractions over the text in order to model the meaning and context of each token in relation to other tokens. This is more sophisticated than a Markov process.