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[Phys-L] Axiomatic systems



Scientific theories usually stem from assertions (axioms) containing a
large amount of information. This means that the assertions favour some
situations and forbid all others. The axiom

HEAT IS AN INDESTRUCTIBLE SUBSTANCE

eliminates all situations where heat is converted into work and reduces the
heat engine to something analogous to a waterwheel. Similarly, the axiom

THE SPEED OF LIGHT IS INDEPENDENT OF THE SPEED OF THE SOURCE OR OBSERVER

eliminates all situations to which the particle model of light is relevant,
including the events in the blackbody cavity (that is the reason why
relativity and quantum mechanics are incommensurable). The problem is that
the large amount of information suggests that the axiom might be false. If
I say "All people in the world have the same income", my assertion is
highly informative but obviously false.

Consider the electrostatic theory. It is based on the axiom

ALL ACTING FORCES IN THE SYSTEM UNDER CONSIDERATION ARE CONSERVATIVE

What would happen if the axiom is false, that is, if the acting forces are
not all conservative? Since we live in the postscientific era, nothing
would happen. Still some comments on non-conservative forces acting in
electrostatic systems can be found here:

http://www.wbabin.net/valev/valev2.htm

Pentcho Valev
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