I have read A Different Universe by R. B. Laughlin that you mentioned
sometime ago in your lecture. The book is no doubt entertaining and
worth of investment of 12 Eur. Yet, I should say that the author is
unclear in what is reductionism, emergence and collective phenomena. Do
you know some other text where these ideas are expressed more formally
with some examples on how it could be used in practice?
The book has reminded me what I have heard sometime from statisticians
in somewhat more crude form. The statisticians believe that what science
does is basically data fitting and the difference between a physical law
and an empirical model is rather subtle. Hence they say, it does not
make sense to perceive a physical law too seriously.
Best wishes,
Evgenii
Come on now, and as I mentioned to Dick after reading Laughlin's
tome, it is devoid of meat.
Indeed, if that is the best one can expect of Laughlin, then the
Nobel committee should revoke his prize.
wrb
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Evgenii
Dear Dick,
I have read A Different Universe by R. B. Laughlin that you mentioned sometime ago in your lecture. The book is no doubt entertaining and worth of investment of 12 Eur. Yet, I should say that the author is unclear in what is reductionism, emergence and collective phenomena. Do you know some other text where these ideas are expressed more formally with some examples on how it could be used in practice?
The book has reminded me what I have heard sometime from statisticians in somewhat more crude form. The statisticians believe that what science does is basically data fitting and the difference between a physical law and an empirical model is rather subtle. Hence they say, it does not make sense to perceive a physical law too seriously.
Best wishes,
Evgenii
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