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[Phys-L] Inconsistency and education



I think teaching of thermodynamics and relativity should stop immediately.
This sounds too extreme but the reason is serious: both theories are
inconsistencies. Let me present a short description of an inconsistency.

1. Definition. An inconsistency is a theoretical construction where
assertions and their negations coexist. A simple example can be seen here:
http://www.wbabin.net/valev/valev7.htm .

2. Origin. The ultimate source in both cases is a false axiom:
thermodynamics stemmed from "heat is an indestructible substance" and
relativity from the principle of constancy of speed of light. Systematic
abuse of logic has confused both theoretical constructions additionally.

3. An inconsistency cannot be tested experimentally. This should be obvious
in view of the fact that assertions and their negations coexist.

4. An inconsistency should be abandoned without waiting for a "better
theory" to emerge. There is always a better theory - one where the false
axiom and its corollaries are absent.

5. The inconsistency destroys rationality and converts students into
learners by rote. Gradually, thinking in terms of contradictory concepts
becomes "normal", the immune mechanism called reductio ad absurdum stops
working and returning to a rational approach to science becomes impossible
in the end.

6. Students don't know that theories are inconsistent but their original
rationality spontaneously resists destruction. Sometimes the inconsistency
wins and the result is the production of zombis in science. Where students
are cleverer the resistance is more successful - students just avoid
science thereby causing a crisis in science education.

Pentcho Valev
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