Re: F=ma

[Robert Carlson <Raacc@AOL.COM>]

In a message dated 11/6/99 1:43:56 AM Central Standard Time, palmer@SFU.CA
writes:

> I don't take it as manifest that what I propose is more
>  sensible; my proposal is based on emotion alone, and as I
>  pointed out before it may be colored by culture. That's what I
>  think I would like to know. I've made my preference clear; do
>  others in the group have the *feeling* I've expressed? Does
>  anyone feel the other, more conventional ordering is better?
>  It certainly has had a huge head start with all of us.

I wonder if this has anything to do with active versus passive writing.  For
example, in a lab report, where one step might be closing a switch, which of
the below is preferable in the report?

1.  The switch was closed.
2.  The switch was closed by me.
3.  I closed the switch.
4.  The switch was closed by Sue.
5.  Sue closed the switch.

When we say cause and effect, isn't this the natural order in thinking?
Then, why switch the order in a mathematical model?  Why say the effect is a
result of the cause, and not say the cause results in the effect?  However,
this does depend on if there is a cause-effect relationship to begin with.

As Leigh points out, this order of thinking may depend on culture.  When
taking French in High School, it seemed strange to me that one said:  The
father of John, rather than, John's father.  Or do I remember this
incorrectly?

Bob Carlson