| Boundaries of Knowledge | first: 2011-12-18 |
Several boundaries of knowledge can be identified. As physics generally is considered to be the best defined and most accurate of all natural sciences it makes sense to start there and to derive some consequences from these basic boundaries. In the context of natural sciences we mean knowledge about the world.
Mathematics should be considered separately. In itself it seems reasonably accurate but in a larger context it can not be based on a strict logic base. As I am less familiar with the mathematics trade a will restrict this subject to references (later), or by reference to this section.
Before going in details we should agree on what to understand of knowledge. It is quite common to distinguishes understanding, explaining and prediction, with of course prediction as the real target.
The ones to be to worked out:
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Within physics the best defined area is the classical mechanics. Even when restrict ourselfs to this area, by not considering quantum- and relativity theory, we can find relative simple examples that prove the limitations in particular on predictions. |
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w.i.p. |
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A good example is the problem of the map. Drawing a real map of reality, for instance of a coastline is not possible because it is impossible to map the smallest detail, that would require a map with the size of reality, while the coast line is not stable enough to keep the map valid. |
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Questions can be raised on the real meaning of basic elements in scientific theories like: Energie and Entropy. |
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The reason to list probability lowest in the list is because it is the most difficult one. |