| Adapted for the Internet from: Why God Doesn't Exist |
Summary
The mathematical physicists who usurped the strings of power long ago never realized that the word object plays such a
pivotal role in Physics. Not a single textbook of Physics begins with a definition of the word object, and you will find no
published manuscripts analyzing this elusive word in the journals of Physics. The mathematicians have delegated the
boring and unrewarding task of defining the word object to philosophers. The mathematical physicists aren’t even aware
that a heated, intergenerational debate has been raging in Philosophy on the subject of objecthood for the last 3000
years. [1] [2] The mathematicians have not been invited to the meeting, they are not even aware that there is a meeting,
and probably wouldn’t come to the meeting if they were invited because they have no idea how important this issue is.
Physicists rely on philosophers to tell them what an object is. The way they look at it, putting common words such
as object, location, motion, exist in dictionaries is beneath their dignity. That's a job for linguists, English majors,
philosophers, or perhaps librarians.
Consequently, the naïve ‘physicist’ coming out of college is blind-sided to the fact that there is a fatal flaw in his field.
The strategic words on which Theoretical Physics rests are defined by people who have no stake in its outcome. The
mathematicians are oblivious to the fact that they will have to use these words to communicate ideas. When Hawking
says that space-time or a black hole is an object, he inadvertently invokes a definition devised by others. Surely he is
not saying that space-time is a physical body because this notion is easily debunked. So what does Hawking mean by
object in the alternative? Thus, Hawking has allowed the English majors to put words in his mouth and make him look
like a fool. This alone should encourage Hawking and his pals to come to the meeting next time.
The philosophers have worked in vain for centuries to define this formidable word. What follows is a list of the outstanding
proposals kicked around in Philosophy circles for the word object. A brief analysis of these notions and definitions shows
where they fail and why they have to be rejected. We discover that in Science, who, why, where, when, how, and how
much do not qualify as objects. Only a what may serve as an object! For the purposes of Science, only that which has
shape qualifies as a 'noun.' This is the only way we can use the word object consistently in a dissertation.
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| After 3000 years, the idiots of Philosophy still cannot tell you what an object is! |
| No, Bill! I'm sorry to disappoint you. I am not a physical object. I am just an abstract concept. However, I will still try to grant you your three material wishes. One beautiful girl, a keg of beer, and a pot of gold, right? |
| Aaawwh, humbug! Why is it that I see fairy godmothers only during my hangovers! |
- Module main page: Exist is the most important word in Science
This module: After 3000 years, the idiots of Philosophy still cannot tell you what an object is!
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- Copyright © by Nila Gaede 2008