>I didn't read about it before last night but this summary of the problem of >induction from the Wikipedia article on the Cosmological Principal describes >my feelings rather well:
>Empirical observations of patterns occurring within a limited scope can >shed no light on the state of things outside that scope. If you really believe that, then you would throw most of evolutionary theory out, beause we've only been making good scientific measurements over a very limited scope of time, say the last 150-200 years. But, in evolution, we make inferences concerning time by all sorts of different methods. I consider them valid measurements. Just as I consider orbiting telescope measurements valid measurements of distant, past events. But, there is no scientific arguement that can possibly counter "Last Thursdayism". But, if we limit ourselves to science modeling what we observe, then having both the universe and life on earth evolve over billions of years makes sense. The next assumption that I would make is that the earth is not in a phenomenally unique position in the universe. I think entropy is a good model to see what I mean. Take for example, a glass full of milk delecately balance on the edge of a counter. A draft of air hits it; it falls, and hits the carpet. The glass is broken an the milk is spilled, soaking the carpet. At a microscopic level, each process involved is reversible. There is an extrodinarily samll but very real chance that macroscopic phenomenon would reverse, and the milk would unsoak, regather; the glass would reattach itself and the glass of milk would find its way back on the counter. The arguement against this is entropy, but that's statistical. The chance of this happening is 1 in 10 to the zillinth power, but not zero. Positing that our galaxie is not in a unique place in the universe is akin to this. It would be arguing that we happen to be at the very center of the universe, and the highly isotropic nature of the observed universe in all directions is merely a result of this. You can't disprove this assumption, but we know no reason to accept it. So, models assume that our galaxy is not singular in its position. Finally, I assume that modern physics (say from SR on) is correct, and we do not live in a Newtonian/Maxwellian universe. If you give me that much, I can show why the principal alternatives to the big bang have far bigger problems in matching data than does the big bang (especially as modified by inflation). It will take some work to walk through the physics. I don't mind doing it, but don't want to do this if the real difference in our viewpoints are with the basic assumptions each of us are making. Not to accuse you of anything, but it feels to me that you are tacitly assuming that QM is inherently wrong.....becasue if I am allowed to assume QM, SR, and GR, the arguement becomes pretty straightforward. From past discussions, I think you differ with physicists in that you want science to describe reality instead of merely modeling observations. But, I will stand to be corrected, I just don't want to write long posts that are not germaine to your main arguement. Dan M. Dan M. -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://link.mail2web.com/mail2web _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
