Re: Physics is a human construct

["Bob Sciamanda" <trebor@velocity.net>]

-----Original Message-----
From: LUDWIK KOWALSKI <KOWALSKIL@alpha.montclair.edu>
To: phys-L@atlantis.uwf.edu <phys-L@atlantis.uwf.edu>
Date: Saturday, May 16, 1998 9:29 AM
Subject: Re: Physics is a human construct




Ludwig wrote:
> Bob Sciamanda <trebor@velocity.net > wrote:
>
> > Mathematics, like physics, is a human description of reality. It is
> > the description (ie. Mathematics or Physics) which is human, not the
> > reality being described.
>
> But some components of both disciplines are lasting while others are
not.
> The more lasting they are the more objective they are. Time is a filter.
>
> I learned geometry 50 years ago and it is useful to me today, as it has
> been to many generations. I learned Pascal only 5 years ago and it is
> not useful; students are introduced to programming via C++ today. And
> it will be Java, or something else, tomorrow.
>
> Yes, Pascal is not mathematics. But it is a good illustration of what
> happens today. What is the point of learning something that becomes
> outdated faster than we can get used to it? Are all free creations of
> human mind worth persuing? Pascal is also a "human construct" but this
> construct is very different from physics and mathematics. How do we
decide
> what to impose on our students? What is worth teaching and what is not?
>
>                                               Ludwik Kowalski

Perhaps it is precisely because we humans created these things that they
are finite, limited and ultimately of only passing value;  we are not
gods!  I have no doubt that it is only a matter of time before the same
will be evident about the most precious of our models in physics.

Pedagogically however, I would still teach Newtonian Mechanics and Basic
Programming, not only because they (although surpassed in many ways) are
still useful, but more so that their learning might impart an
appreciation of the less finite, all encompassing  and more enduring
general principles and disciplines of human inquiry.

Bob Sciamanda
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (ret)
trebor@velocity.net
http://www.velocity.net/~trebor