After I unconsciously channeled with Max Planck (thanks Larry!) to say that I thought that physics is easier than social science, Doug wrote: >>Difficult? Don't know about that; it's a lot easier to be an amateur sociologist (or economist even!) than amateur quantum physicist. Less predictable, maybe.<< It's the last meaning I was using. Physics is more predictable, meaning that the efforts to understand the world are easier. It is also easier to stuff into idealized mathematical models[*] without ultraviolence to the object of study. (Third, physicists can usually productively assume that they're not part of the object of their study.) Because of its relative predictability and the appropriateness of formalization, Physics has made much more progress (both empirically and mathematically) than any of the social sciences. This in turn means that there's much more to know to become a physicist, making amateur physics almost impossible. Doug continues:>> But your position, Jim, sounds quite the opposite of what Aronowitz and the social construction crowd argues. To them, the truth claims of the "hard" sciences are no different from those of the "soft" ones ...<< I thought I already said I agree with them that I was willing to agree with Stanley A. that physics was subject to the criticism that its nature was deeply affected by the societal environment. For instance, though I really know nothing about physics, I would hypothesize that in bourgeois society, there is a certain ideological attraction of Newtonian physics -- with its image of atomistic billiard-ball interaction -- that delayed the development and acceptance of Einsteinian and quantum-mechanic physics, which put greater emphasis on interconnectedness. That would be an interesting question for an expert to look into... (Did Einstein's socialism open his mind in a way that helped him get beyond Newton? what was it that closed his mind to quantum physics?) [*] "idealized mathematical models" is quite a redundant phrase, no? in pen-l solidarity, Jim Devine [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Econ. Dept., Loyola Marymount Univ. 7900 Loyola Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045-8410 USA 310/338-2948 (daytime, during workweek); FAX: 310/338-1950 "Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti." (Go your own way and let people talk.) -- K. Marx, paraphrasing Dante A.
