On 15 Oct 2004, Allen Esterson wrote: > Stephen Black quoted John Gribbin as follows: > > "The best things in science are both beautiful and simple, a fact that all > too many teachers conceal from their students"
And he then continued: > > This is an attractive idea, but by no means always the case (as far as the > "simple" is concerned). The equation(s) top of the list of greatest > equations as voted for by a group of physicists recently were the > electromagnet equations of James Clerk Maxwell. No one would deny that > this achievement ranks with the greatest in science, but if anyone hopes > it is simple, take a look at > http://www.physicsweb.org/articles/world/17/10/2/1/pwpov2%5F10%2D04 Of course, it all depends on what one means by "simple". While not supported by the on-line dictionary, I understand simple in this context to mean "achieves a powerful or far-reaching concept with great economy of expression". Surely Maxwell's equations fit this requirement. But if by simple Allen means "readily grasped by the great unwashed", then I agree that these equations are not simple. But I think Gribbin had my version in mind in his comment. As for an illustration in psychological research of what I think John Gribbon is talking about, I give the example of an undergraduate who proposes to answer a particular research question with a four-way ANOVA rather than a t-test. Stephen ___________________________________________________ Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470 Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661 Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at http://faculty.frostburg.edu/psyc/southerly/tips/index.htm _______________________________________________ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
