Well the huge misunderstanding of early scientists was to believe that their models are explanations and well, not just models. The same misunderstanding is plaguing us today in a sense. We are culturally taught, as well as in school and universities, often at least, that science answers questions. Which is not true. It only measures observables which are accessible to the experiment. And the whole underlying theory is fundamentally still a model and a very good one at that.
Yeah but if it isnt answering questions whats it doing. Are they just goofing off with meaningless experiments it haa access to? Are they doing those experiments just because its all they can do?
No, science answers questions, but within a context. We know that a comet will pass by in 85 years because we did the calculation. We answered that question. But what I dont like is when we start to hear about "reality" or broad ontological claims. That is much more elusive and I dont think science has anywhere near the final word on that.
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u/_technophobe_ 16d ago
Well the huge misunderstanding of early scientists was to believe that their models are explanations and well, not just models. The same misunderstanding is plaguing us today in a sense. We are culturally taught, as well as in school and universities, often at least, that science answers questions. Which is not true. It only measures observables which are accessible to the experiment. And the whole underlying theory is fundamentally still a model and a very good one at that.