[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]   [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Author Index

Re: Freeman Dyson - Godel & science as inexhaustable



JohnM,
 
I would have thought so too. But he seems here to be arguing in quite a different tone:
"It is true that the fundamental equations of physics are simple and beautiful, and that we have good reason to expect that the equations still to be discovered will be even more simple and beautiful. But the reduction of other sciences to physics does not work. Chemistry has its own concepts, not reducible to physics. Biology and neurology have their own concepts not reducible to physics or to chemistry. The way to understand a living cell or a living brain is not to consider it as a collection of atoms. Chemistry and biology and neurology will continue to advance and to make new fundamental discoveries, no matter what happens to physics. The territory of new sciences, outside the narrow domain of theoretical physics, will continue to expand."
 
Regards,
Tim
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: ROSEN Forum [mailto:***On Behalf Of John M
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 10:19 AM
To: ***
Subject: Re: Freeman Dyson - Godel & science as inexhaustable

Tim,
 
although I hold Dyson among the "great Minds" of contemporary physical sciences, (more than just a
great physicist) I also hold him as a citadel (pharos?)
of the reductionistic sciences.
Dangerous, because he is so good.
Just for a caution to any of us when reading.
 
John M