> On 14 Jun 2020, at 19:53, Telmo Menezes <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > Am So, 14. Jun 2020, um 09:23, schrieb Bruno Marchal: >> >>> On 12 Jun 2020, at 11:55, Telmo Menezes <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>> >>> Hello all, >>> >>> I've been reading here often the claim that physics is about the "real >>> stuff" and math is a human construction that helps us make sense of the >>> real stuff, but it is just an approximation of reality. So here's a thought >>> experiment on this topic. >>> >>> Let us imagine I program a digital computer to keep iterating through all >>> possible integer values greater than 2 of the variables a, b, c and n. If >>> the following condition is satisfied: >>> >>> a^n + b^n = c^n >>> >>> then the computer turns on a light. I let it run for one year. Will the >>> light turn on during that year? >>> >>> So my questions are: >>> >>> (1) Can you use theoretical physics to make a correct prediction? >> >> Yes, by using the idea (in theoretical physics) that the physical reality >> cannot contradict elementary arithmetic. > > We agree. > >>> (2) Can you use math to make a correct prediction? >> >> >> Yes, by assuming that the physical reality will not contradict Wiles’ proof >> of Fermat. >> >> >> >>> >>> Notice that I am asking a question that is as hard-nosed as it can be. No >>> metaphysics, just a question about an observable event in a physical system >>> during a well-defined time period. Will the light turn on? >>> >>> What gives? >> >> I have done the experience, and the light turned on during that year. My >> prediction was false, and I thought that an experiment suggest something >> went wrong in Wiles proof. Then I woke up :) > > This is the problem with putting too much faith in numbers, it may always be > that one can still wake up :) (a little provocation)
You point on a difficult question where I (and you) might not completely agree with Descartes, but I am not sure (right now). I will reread the passage in Descartes to be sure. The question is can we dream that circle are triangular, or that p -> p is not a tautology. From what you say, it looks you think that this is possible, and we agree on this … up to some point (I cannot dream that I am not conscious, for example). Bruno > > Telmo > >> Bruno >> >> >> >> >>> >>> Best, >>> Telmo >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "Everything List" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to [email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/everything-list/fb819e76-2fdd-468c-b21a-96971764d8ab%40www.fastmail.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/everything-list/fb819e76-2fdd-468c-b21a-96971764d8ab%40www.fastmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. >> >> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Everything List" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/everything-list/7B3D9F80-F164-4A5E-9EB7-0159A0ACDEE4%40ulb.ac.be >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/everything-list/7B3D9F80-F164-4A5E-9EB7-0159A0ACDEE4%40ulb.ac.be?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Everything List" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/everything-list/6e7a38cd-c402-4708-a959-5a56b30a1cd0%40www.fastmail.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/everything-list/6e7a38cd-c402-4708-a959-5a56b30a1cd0%40www.fastmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/everything-list/C292E406-569E-4E39-ADF5-8F98BD2D2F81%40ulb.ac.be.
