Russ Abbott wrote at 04/22/2013 10:21 AM: > How would you say "E = MC^2" without language?
I don't think a scientist would say such a thing. But I also don't think "E = MC^2" is science. Yes, I know. After saying that, you will (again) think to yourself that it's not worth talking to me. ;-) But the point Nick raises remains. Science is about peeking and poking the stuff around you, not idealizing everything down into abstract math. The math is a tool, but not the objective. So, a scientist would not say "E = MC^2". A scientist would say something like "If I manipulate machine X with buttons Y and Z, then A, B, and C obtain." What that experiment _means_, ideologically, is left to the metaphysicians, some of which may trigger new behaviors in the scientists. So, your question boils down to "how would you teach a student to run a particle accelerator without talking or writing anything down?" -- =><= glen e. p. ropella Swan diving off the tongues of crippled giants ============================================================ FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
