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Sorry for breaking the threading. Phil wrote: > But isn't the shape of our varying ability to fit our models a direct > image of 'nature itself', in fact, and our main mistake to discard > them all but the 'best' one and so loose the shape of what they are > all unable to describe? That's why I like to go back and forth > studying alternate models for their discrepancies and their fit, > using models as learning tools rather than answers. I think the > notable thing you find that way is independent whole systems...i Yes! Sheesh, your prose is so hard to parse it feels good when I finally do parse it. [grin] Anyway, I definitely agree that it's a "mistake" in some sense to discard all but the best projections. However, in cases where a limit _exists_ (and it is reasonable to believe it exists), then it's not a mistake at all. Preserving an erroneous model when much more accurate models are at hand would be perverse (or evidence that one should be a historian rather than a scientist). I'm not talking about the type of preservation that allows us to think back and learn from previous events. I'm talking about someone _sticking_ to and/or regularly relying on a "bad" model even when they know it's wrong. However, in most cases, we have no idea if the limit even exists and it is often just psychological bias or delusion that makes us believe in such a limit. And in _those_ cases (MOST cases) it is definitely a mistake to discard any model that is reasonably effective. (Notice my shift from "erroneous" or "accurate" to "effective".) Personally, I believe this is the fundamental point of critical rationalism and _open_ science where we allow and seriously consider _any_ hypothesis, no matter how bizarre or offensive. Only when a hypothesis is falsified should it be demoted to secondary consideration or the history books. - -- glen e. p. ropella, 971-219-3846, http://tempusdictum.com We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart. -- H.L. Mencken -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFHTfzbZeB+vOTnLkoRAon3AJwLpmeuuW86PeKLEjj9Raw+erP23ACgtOcM UPMukBlumR6ywMMkAb9TF0M= =5vqn -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- ============================================================ FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
