Science vs Scientism

 Pure Science is not an ideology; it is a method of examining claims through empirical investigation and then drawing a conclusion that has predictive value. It uses the framework of mathematics and statistics to analyze the evidence, thereby opening up further avenues of investigation to test deeper claims. In this regard, it has been very successful.

Having said that, the Philosopher Paul Feyerabend argues that when the practitioners of science become dogmatic and political in their outlook, they transform the practice of science into a milieu dominated by groupthink. The willful neglect of contrary evidence and the elevation of the power dynamic of credentialism then dominate.

This invariably results in stagnant thinking, the formation of a closed secular priesthood/authority, and the sacrifice of the rigorous scientific methodology to preordained conclusions.

Physics - Modern Physics Phenomena

 

50 Realities that come to us from Modern Physics

(A Second List is coming soon)

• ·         Energy is quantized and  is produced in discrete packets. A quanta of light energy is a Photon. The Energy of a photon is directly proportional to its vibrational frequency. Planck’s constant, h, serves  to turn this proportionality statement into an equation.

  ·         Max Planck’s use of Boltzmann’s Thermodynamics allowed him to solve the Blackbody Radiation Problem. This serves as the origin of Quantum Mechanics.

  ·         Photons have zero mass and travel at the speed c in a vacuum.

  ·          Compton scattering demonstrates that photons have momentum. This is inversely related to their wavelength.

  ·         Traditional particles have wavelike behaviour as demonstrated in the Double Slit Experiment and Electron Diffraction (Davisson-Germer)

  ·         Electrons have spin and angular momentum (Stern-Gerlach)

  ·         Within energy levels electron behaviour can be analyzed using standing wave physics Energy is trapped in the system so that electrons don’t spiral into the nucleus. One can think of an electron as a probability wave.

  ·         Electron orbits are probability functions.

  ·         When electrons move from one energy level to another they release energy in the form of a photon.

  ·         The probability nature of quantum mechanics can be analyzed using wave mechanics (Schrödinger) or matrix mechanics (Heisenberg). Both give verified solutions. One cannot separate statistical mechanics from Quantum Mechanics. Statistical uncertainty is a defining feature of the system.

  ·         There is an inherent uncertainty in Quantum Mechanics which makes perfect certainty on both momentum and particle position impossible on a simultaneous level.

  ·         Anti-Matter is a real phenomenon. Its prediction comes from the work of Paul Dirac and it has been verified at the experimental level. Every particle has an anti-matter adjunct. The positron is the adjunct to the electron. When matter and anti-matter annihilate each other they give rise to Gamma Waves.

  ·         The Macroworld’s continuity breaks down at the quantum level. It can be argued therefore that continuity is an illusion.

  ·         Matter in motion has a wavelength associated with it. (De Broglie wavelength). The utilization of this idea is fundamental to the development of the electron microscope.

  ·         Force transmission occurs through particle exchange.  Feynman diagrams provide an excellent resource to analyze the movement of virtual photons that mediate the Electromagnetic Force.

  ·         There are Four Fundamental Forces in Nature: Strong Nuclear, Weak Nuclear, Electromagnetic Force and Gravity. Although some would argue that gravity is in itself not essentially a force.  They differ considerably with respect to relative strength and range.

  ·         The Strong Nuclear Force holds together the nucleus. It is mediated by Gluons. The Weak Nuclear Force is controlled by the exchange of W and Z Bosons.

  ·         The Graviton is the hypothetical particle thought to be involved in Gravitational interaction. It has not been identified as of the time of writing although Gravity waves appear to be a real phenomenon.

  ·         At high enough temperature it is believed that all four forces were one. These separated very soon after the big bang. At high temperatures for example the electromagnetic force and the weak force merge into one – the Electroweak Force.

  ·         Attempts to bring all of the forces together into a consistent model are part of the idea of Grand Unification. Gravity seems to be the consistent hold out.

  ·         Quantum particles appear to be entangled at some level. This is independent of locality and does not seem to be a function of hidden variables. Its likely a characteristic of the system. Einstein referred to the phenomenon as spooky action at a distance.

  ·         One can treat a quantum entity as either a wave or a particle but never as a wave/particle at the same time (Complementary Principle). Wave particle duality is real.

  ·         In Quantum mechanics the experimenter cannot help but disturb the measurement. This introduces uncertainty as outlined in the Copenhagen interpretation.

  ·         The Photoelectric effect where electrons are ejected from a metal surface by incoming photons can be explained by the threshold frequency of each photon. It is independent of the number of photons irradiating the surface.

  ·         Collapsing the wave function through observation is the key idea behind quantum encryption and eavesdropping shutouts.

  ·         A multitude of quantum states existing at the same time underpins the notion of qubits and Quantum This allows for the system to carry out significantly more calculations (at least in theory)  than conventional computers.

  ·         The Higgs Boson Particle creates a Higgs Boson field that some particles (not photons) can interact with. This gives the particles elementary particles such as quarks and electrons their mass. It was identified by the Large Hadron Collider in 2012.

  ·         The speed of light is constant is equal to c in a vaccum. It is the same for all inertial frames of reference. There is no aether in space. Electromagnetic waves don’t require a medium for propagation.

  ·         One cannot distinguish between the at rest case and constant velocity. The same laws of physics are applicable in both cases. There is no absolute frame of reference to judge motion from.

  ·         Time is a relative not an absolute quantity. It tends on the frame of reference from which it is being determined.

  ·         Space (Length) are relative quantities. The length as perceived by an outside observer contracts in the direction of motion.

  ·         Simultaneity is not absolute. Events that occur simultaneously in one frame of reference aren’t necessarily simultaneous in another.

  ·         Fast moving particles appear to have a substantial increase in linear momentum that  seem to indicate an increase in mass as measured from the frame of the laboratory.

  ·         Space and Time are not independent but can be linked via a spacetime set of axes.

  ·         Protons and Neutrons are composed of three quarks each. There are six quark types. They differ with respect mass, charge and a property called colour. A single quark can have a charge less than the elementary charge. They can transition into each other and do not appear to exist on their own. Quark structures are bound to each other by the Strong Nuclear Force (Guon mediated).

  ·         Electrons, Tau and Muons cannot be broken down into fundamental particles. They are known as leptons and react to the electromagnetic force.

  ·         The Atomic nucleus has various energy levels just like electrons in the outer shells of an atom

  ·         Electron orbits (probability distributions) have various shapes designated s,p, d and f.

  ·         Each of the leptons has an associated neutrino number. Neutrinos are difficult to detect but are not massless. They are produced in nuclear reactions and have no charge.

  ·         The change in apparent half life of fasting Muons passing through the Earth’s evidence is consistent with Time Dilations associated with Special Relativity. Atomic clocks on planes also show time differences that lineup with special relativity.

  ·         Kinetic Energy increases rapidly when a fast moving particle is accelerated toward the speed of light. This is consistent with an increase in relativistic mass.

  ·         Mass and Energy are equivalent and can be related by the equation E= mc². It is more accurate to talk about the conservation of mass-energy as a unit instead of these two terms independently.

  ·         One simply cannot add velocities together in relative velocity problems (like one does in classical physics) but a modified equation that brings in the speed of light limit must be employed.

  ·         For a particle travelling at the speed of light time stands still.

  ·         All information cannot exceed the speed of light in travel speed which makes  c the dividing line between cause and effect.

  ·         The vacuum of space has energy. It is also seething with virtual particles. This has been observed with the Casimir Effect.

  ·         The best model (based on evidence) that we have of the particle nature of the universe is the Standard model – consisting of Hadrons, Bosons and Leptons . However most physics are convinced that there is a layer (or layers) of organization that exist below this.

  ·         The universe may be built on a multiplicity of fields (electrical, magnetic, Higgs, quantum and others) that make all action possible.

  ·         Quantum tunneling allows particles to pass through an energy barrier which would not be possible in the Classical world. This is a function of probability functions arising from the Schrödinger Equation.

  ·         The Conservation Laws in Physics (Energy, Linear Momentum, Angular Momentum etc) can be related to various symmetries via Noether’s Theorem.

   

  
  

What books would you recommend for those interested in reading more on the topic of Physics in general?

 This would be my top fifteen:

1.The Elegant Universe – Brian Greene – an excellent introduction to the fundamentals of Modern Physics.

2. Hyperspace – Michio Kaku - wonderful take on extra dimensions by a strong narrator.

3. The Ideas of Physics – Ernest Hutten - an oldie but a goldie – discusses key ideas that shaped the discipline.

4. Fearful Symmetry – A. Zee - Looks at the Beauty in Physics.

5. Physics of Immortality – Frank Tipler - a bit over the top but highly entertaining, nevertheless.

6. Theories of Everything – John Barrow - Low key but well written.

7. Feynman Lecture Series – Richard Feynman - A struggle for the layperson, but if you can get through a third of it, your effort will be rewarded.

8. The Trouble with Physics – Lee Smolin - an important critique of the groupthink that has worked its way into particle physics.

9. Physics – Douglas Giancoli - Doesn’t matter what the edition is; its treatment of classical physics is splendid.

10. The Flying circus of Physics – Jearl Walker – Challenging problems that force one to really think deeply about everyday physics.

11. Relativity Simply Explained – Martin Gardiner – Its title says it all.

12. The First Three Minutes: A Modern View of the Origin of the Universe – Steven Weinberg- Still one of the best treatments of the Big Bang.

13. The Constants of Nature – John Barrow – Delves into the details of these definitive constants that so encapsulate our universe.

14. Thirty Years that Shook Physics: The Story of Quantum Theory – Gamow is a great storyteller, and he didn’t disappoint with this useful read.

15. Fifty Physics Ideas – Joanne Baker – Lots of fun and really easy to navigate

Why does time slow down the faster you move?

 My Answer on Quora.

It doesn’t slow down at least in the sense that this question is worded. This is a misconception. Lets look a bit more at the bigger picture that comes from Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity (1905).

Time is a relative concept. There is no such thing as absolute time in the broader scope of non-Galilean relativity. The measurement of time is specific to the frame of reference of the person making the measurement. Within the same frame of reference all observers agree on the same time measurement. However if one frame of reference is moving with respect to the other then there will be a disagreement in how much time has elapsed between events.

You see the only ‘absolute’ here is that the laws of physics hold across all frames of reference. The speed of light in a vacuum as measured by all is the SAME. We call it c. One cannot add or subtract onto c. It is what it is. There is no such thing as c + v or c-v (which Galilean relativity argues for).

Which means that something has to give. Actually several entities do, including absolute time and absolute length. The relative motion of one frame of reference to the other has to be taken into account and it is corrected for by invoking the Lorentz or Gamma factor.

where v = speed of the one frame of reference relative to the other.

For example if Bob boards a space ship and travels at a constant speed v relative to his Earthbound cousin Ann. Bob will experience what is called proper time (a poorly worded term). Ann will be the benefactor of relativistic or measured time. Both measurements of time are correct within their specific frame of reference.

Now the two times are related by the Gamma factor as shown below:

where delta t prime = measured time and delta t is proper time. Gamma is included in this equation and is always greater than or equal to 1. As v approaches c gamma tends to infinity so that the discrepancy between measured time and proper time ramps up considerably. We don’t see this as much in the day-to-day as v is so small compared to c. However the phenomenon is real….we call it TIME DILATION.

Consequently for Ann it will seem that Bob’s clock is running VERY slow. However from Bob’s perspective life is normal and there is nothing wrong with his clock. He will likely argue that Ann’s clock is running too fast. Both are correct in their own frame of reference.

Worth noting is that there is an additional assumption built into this analysis. Both frames of reference are not-accelerating. That is they are Inertial. For accelerating Frames of reference we need to bring in ideas from Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity (1915).

Sabine Hossenfelder looks at the fraud that is driving a retraction crisis in the science. She points a finger at the 'Special Issues' craze that has allowed the literature to become littered with published papers that are fundamentally flawed (deliberately or not). AI is partly to blame but like most critiques she avoids going deeper into a proposed solution. 

In addition she carefully avoids the politically motivated topic of Anthropegenic Climate Change that has for all intent of purpose become the poster child for groupthink, scientism and shoddy science. 

 Publish or Perish and competitive grant money have not helped the process but if science cannot extricate itself from the politics that skews its bias it runs the risk of crashing in on itself. Nobody will benefit from that. The success of Western Civilization is grounded in a solid science. This involves a science that incorporates rationalism and empiricism and places the truth at the apex of all investigation quests. 

More Answers to Quick Quora Questions II

Did Britain refuse to support Anti-Bolshevik forces in the Russia before World War II?

No. In fact between 1918 and 1920 The British together with France, the United States, Japan and Czechoslovakia actively backed the anti-Bolshevik White Movement in the Russian Civil War. Almost a thousand Brits died in this conflict.

Check out: Kinvig, Clifford (2006). Churchill's Crusade: The British Invasion of Russia 1918–1920. London

Can totalitarianism exist in a liberal form?

No. The key unit in Liberalism is the individual with the prime focus being its sovereignty. Any totalitarian system biases the collective over the individual and therefore ceases to be liberal. Progressivism is not liberal.    

Can Nuclear fusion be stopped or reversed if accidently started?

I assume you mean in a lab or power planet. The answer is yes. Nuclear Fission Processes are shutdown using the SCRAM procedure (safety control rod axe man - the term was coined by Enrico Fermi). In light reactors (water cooled) this done by inserting a control rod that absorbs neutrons. For CANDU reactors a neutron poison is injected via the EPIS system (Emergency Poison Injection system).

In Nuclear Fusion the process is stopped by releasing the pressure on the plasma/fuel mix. Worth thinking about is that a fusion reaction is easier to control as it is not a chain reaction.

When did the meaning of Liberalism change from its classical roots?

It didn’t. Liberalism is the authentic classic version. In the United States Progressive groups co-opted the name in the early to mid 20th century as a way of polishing their progressive image which had become increasingly tarnished over time. The re-brand unfortunately stuck with the details lost to history. In Europe and Australia, Liberal Party Parties are closer to the original definition in political philosophy (although not always in action) than those who go by the same mantra in North America.

Why did Germany betray Austria and not provide assistance during World War I?

The Germans were fighting the French/British Empires on one front and the Russians on the other. The fight against the Russians relieved some of the pressure on the Austrian/Hungarian forces who could concentrate more of their efforts against the Italians and the Serbs. Anymore German assistance was unlikely as the nations was under naval blockade and was stretched to the limits on both the Western and Eastern Fronts for most of the war. While there was some relief to Germany when Russia pulled out of the war this did not last long as the Allied forces were bolstered on the West by the entry of the United States.

What are the 10 most Important paradigm shifts in the History of Science?

Great Question on Quora (my answer)

 I tried with 10 but I believe that 12 does this answer more justice. There are others that I could add here viz. William Harvey’s work on the circulation system, the various developments in Optics, Acid-Base chemistry, Plate Tectonics, applications of Boolean Algebra, the Gas Laws, neuron physiology and topography. However I will go with these 12.

1. Copernican Revolution. (15th-17th century)

• Main Idea - Overthrow of the Geocentric model of the Universe. Subsequent developments - Kepler’s Three Laws of Planetary motion. Galileo’s observations. Orbital Periodicity. Newtonian Synthesis. Consequences - Rethinking of the centrality of humanity’s centralized position in the universe. Inspiration for further astronomical developments that now see the Milky Way as one of possibly two trillion galaxies in the universe.

Copernicus: Science at your Doorstep

2. Newton’s Laws of Motion (17th-18th century)

• Main Idea - Three Laws of motion that define the nature of velocity, acceleration, inertia, action and reaction and cause and effect. Build heavily on Galilean Empiricism and Relativity. Subsequent Development - Formalization of ideas on Momentum, Impulse, rotational mechanics and fluid flow. Practical application of the calculus and further extensions into Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. Consequence - Mechanical determinism, clockwork universes and a framework for analyzing physical systems under Cartesian reductionism.

Classical Mechanics Timeline: source: citizendium

3. Laws of Thermodynamics (18th-19th centuries)

• Main idea - Conservation of Energy. Direction of heat flow. Organization and disorganization in a system. Absolute zero limits. Work-Energy equivalencies. (Three Laws plus one zeroth law). Subsequent Developments - Enthalpy and Entropy formalization. Gibb’s Free Energy. Hess’s Law. Kinetic Molecular Theory. Chemical Equilbrium. Physics of machines (Carnot, Rankin, Otto cycles etc). Heat exchange. Statistical Mechanics. Consequences - Arrow of Time, Constraints on system performance. Directionality of information. Key Driver for the Transformational era of the Industrial Revolution.

Source: Lawofthernodynamics.com

4. Unification of Electricity and Magnetism (19th-20th centuries)

• Main Idea - Electricity and Magnetism as related field phenomena. Unified mathematically by James Clerk Maxwell. Notion of the Electromagnetic Wave. Field ideas developed by Faraday. Earlier work - Oersted, Gauss, Weber and Ampere. Subsequent Development (or Parallel Developments) - Electric Motor, Generators, Relay Systems, Transformers, Dynamos, AC Current. EM Waves - Radio transmission - Microwaves. Consequences - Mechanization of society, reduction in mechanical work tasks (societal consequences), enhancement of information transfer.

Source: www.chegg.com

5. Atomic Theory (Early Models Ancient Greeks, 19th-20th centuries)

• Main Idea - The Atom as a building block of nature. Its elucidation into sub-atomic particles. Applied use in virtually all of the physical and life sciences. Subsequent Development - Understanding of chemical bonding, nuclear physics, molecular biology, radioactivity and nanotechnology. Consequences - Energy provision, medical applications (biotechnology), warfare and analytics.

Source: Key Figures in Atomic Theory picture source: Middle School Science Blog

6. Evolution by Natural Selection (19th century)

• Main Idea - Natural Selection acted on diverse traits as a driver for evolutionary change and species formation. Factors act on variation within population. Key thinkers - Darwin, Wallace. Influenced by notion of Old Earth (Hutton, Lyell) and Malthusian checks. Subsequent Development - Neo-Darwinian refinements (including modification based on genetics and mutation theory), taxonomic re-writes, cladistics/phylogenetics. Models of Gradualism and Punctuated Equilibrium. Consequences - removal of humanity as the apex of the so-called Ladder of Life, Models of descent from a common ancestor.

Charles Darwin source: Britannica

7. Quantum Mechanics (19th and 20th Century)

• Main Idea - The discrete nature of matter and energy at the most fundamental level. Earlier development by Max Planck comes out of the application of Statistical Mechanics (Ludwig Botzmann) to the Blackbody Radiation problem. Subsequent Development - Advances in the atomic model, Wave-particle duality, photoelectric effect, matter waves, photoelectric effect, photonic momentum, stellar evolution, development of the standard model, transistors and Energy transitions in atomic systems. Consequences - Key driver in the technological revolution and Computer Age with Integrated circuits, microprocessors etc. Challenges to Philosophical Determinism (Uncertainty), development of Electron Microscopes/Lasers.Possible models of consciousness.

Integrated Circuits were made possible by our understanding of Quantum Mechanics source: Total Phase.

8. Special and General Relativity (20th Century)

• Main Idea - Reworking of the notions of space, time, gravity, energy and momentum within a relative and non-absolute framework (albeit on the inherent postulate that the Laws of Physics hold for all observers). Subsequent Development - Mass-Energy Equivalency, Rework on Simultaneity, Impact on the Big Bang, Singularity Physics (Black Holes), Hidden Mass, Models of the future and past of the universe. Consequences - Key pillar in Modern Physics (alongside Quantum mechanics), rethinking causality. Macroworld consequences. Overarching theory for which Newtonian/Galilean models are low velocity approximations.

Space-time Diagram source: Gravity Probe B - Stanford U

9. DNA/RNA and Genetic Engineering (20th century)

• Main Idea: DNA and its sister RNA are the molecules of life and through processes of transcription and translation are ultimately responsible for building the protein that provides the structural and functional framework for living organisms. Subsequent Development - Better understanding of the mechanisms of hereditary (beyond the Mendelian model), Genetic Engineering, drug development/targeting, PCR, and CRISPR. Consequences - Break throughs in medical treatment (vaccines, monoclonal antibodies etc), tools in forensics, fertility. Overriding ethical considerations with respect to cloning and privacy.

Chemical Structure of DNA Source: Compound Interest

10. Germ Theory (18th-20th century)

• Main Idea: Microorganisms (Bacteria, viruses, viroids, protozoa etc) as the cause for many diseases. Development made possible by optics revolution (magnifying glasses, microscopes etc) and chemical assays. Subsequent Development - Antibiotics, antivirals, Immunization mechanisms and Antiseptics. Consequences - More effective disease treatment. Better outcomes for infant mortality and longevity. Destruction of Vitalism and Spontaneous Generation as earlier biological explanations for disease.

Germ Theory in Bacteriology source: Bitlanders

11. Feedback mechanisms(Cybernetics) (19th and 20th century)

• Main Idea: The understanding of positive and negative feedback loops as regulators of system functioning. Has application in a variety of the physical, information and life sciences. Subsequent Development - Mechanisms of Biological homeostasis (endocrine system, neuro-muscular framework, response to stimuli, plant trophisms, cell biology), Chemical Process control, artificial intelligence, decision analysis and Chaos Theory. Consequences - Broader understanding of stability of systems, cause-and effect analysis, understanding levels of complexity through factor analysis.

Cell homeostasis source: OpenCurriculum

12. Organic Chemistry (19th-20th century)

• Main Idea: Understanding of the chemistry around carbon and the ability to synthesize compounds that were once deemed outside the scope of chemistry. Subsequent Development - Modern Biochemistry, Polymerization (Plastics etc), Drug development, Nutritional Sciences Consequences - Improved medical treatment. Enhanced product development. Largely positive however there are environmental consequences as well (just like inorganic chemistry).

Functional Groups and Polymerization source: Britannica

What are Emprical Laws? How are Newton's Laws Emprical?

 My answer on Quora

These are phenomena that at their very core are driven by the nature of what the universe is at its fundamental level and can only be elucidated through experimentation (not deductive rationalism). They could indeed be otherwise if the nature of the physical universe and its key constants were different. We can probe deeper with mathematics to explain the ‘how’ but the ‘why’ is a different beast altogether.

Newton’s Three Laws of motion emerge as special cases of a broader physics model that rests on a deeper physical base empirically in the MODERN framework. CLASSICALLY without the benefits of Quantum Mechanics and Relativity (both Special and General) we treat them as Empirical.

What does Gibbs Free Energy measure?

 (My answer on Quora).

Gibb’s Free Energy (delta G) measures the maximum amount of reversible work that can be extracted from a system. The caveat though is that the system has to be at constant temperature and pressure (or volume). It must also be a closed system (that is one that does not exchange matter although it can exchange heat and work)

Gibb’s Energy (also known as available energy) is given by the symbol G and is named after the American chemist Josiah Gibbs. The unit of G (like all energies) is Joules (J).

When a system is in chemical equilibrium G is minimized. Delta G becomes zero which implies that no spontaneous energy can be extracted from the system at this pressure and temperature.

Science v Scientism

 Pure Science itself isn’t inherently an ideology. It a method of examining claims through empirical investigation and then drawing conclusion that have predictive value. It uses the framework of mathematics and statistics to analyze the evidence thereby opening up further avenues of investigation to test deeper claims. In this regard it has been very successful.

Having said that though Paul Feyerabend has a point when the practitioners of science become dogmatic and political in their outlook to the point that they transform the practice of science into a milieu dominated by groupthink, the willful neglect of contrary evidence and the elevation of the power dynamic of credentialism.

This invariably results in stagnant thinking, the formation of a closed secretarian priesthood/authority and the sacrifice of the rigorous scientific methodology to preordained conclusions.

The further venture of science into realms which are less quantifiable or indeed falsifiable (eg. morality and metaphysics) further challenges the scope of science’s applicability. A realism that seems lost to those who with each passing moment are intent in transforming science into the ideology of scientism.