On 11 Dec 2001, Herman Rubin wrote:
> Most courses in physics are courses in mathematical physics.
This is blatantly incorrect. Courses called "Mathematical Methods of
Physics" are common, and some courses are called "Mathematical
Physics" even though they are really methods courses. But these
are not true mathematical physics courses.
It IS true that most physics courses are theoretical courses,
and that physical theory is always formulated mathematically.
It is NOT true that these courses are Mathematical Physics courses,
because such are courses where one proves mathematical theorems,
usually involving functional analysis, Lie groups/algebras,
differential geometry, category theory, et al.
If you compare the journals "Communications in Mathematical Physics"
and "Journal of Mathematical Physics" with, say, the "Physical
Review" or the "European Physical Journal", you will see that
Mathematical Physics and Physics per se are distinct from each other.
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