Re: what is understanding?

[trappe@PHYSICS.UTEXAS.EDU (Karl Trappe)]

> I digress to tell a pertinent story.   Prof. Gans, my first wife's
> chemistry professor, asked, "Why is glass transparent?"   Well, you
> relate the myth of absorption and re-emission of photons, etc.   But he
> comes back with, "Why does that happen?"   Perhaps, you can give a
> deeper explanation, Dave.   But, it's all on the surface - even if you
> describe how the quarks do their thing.  You still haven't explained why
> glass is transparent.  And, the transparency of glass is ONLY A
> PHENOMENON.   The noumenon is unknowable!    Prof. Gans concludes,
> "Magic".   Science can only put things "in other words".
And that is why I call Physics a succession of lies, each of which makes us
more comfortable.   I'm not trying to insult my profession, just get a grip
on "reality"  (the quotes are for Jack Urestsky-smile, Jack) Karl

Dr. Karl I. Trappe                              Desk Phone:  (512) 471-4152
Physics Dept, Mail Stop C-1600                  Demo Office: (512) 471-5411
The University of Texas at Austin               Home Phone:  (512) 264-1616
Austin, Texas 78712-1081