Re: Causation in Physics: F=ma

[Joseph Bellina <jbellina@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003, John S. Denker wrote:

> On 11/14/2003 11:10 AM, Joseph Bellina wrote:
>  > And if you have a counterexample, then
>  > there is nothing to prove.
>
> What do you mean, "if"?
>
> I exhibited a counterexample.  So we agree I have
> nothing more to prove.
>
>  > Perhaps, John, you want to rephrase what you wrote?
>
> I see no need to rephrase anything.  I have argued
> that F does not cause ma, and ma does not cause F.
> I have not seen anything resembling a counterargument.
what you demonstrated was the calculational equivalency.  But that
equivalency is not the basis for the causal claim.  Hence it isn't a
counterexample.  Further the appeal to proof is specious, since proof
never is the issue.

 Joseph
J. Bellina, Jr.               574-284-4662 Associate Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556