Ted Wong, "Why Quantify?" September 8, 2003
- Scientists want to build theories about nature.
- They want these theories to be testable--that is, to describe and predict phenomena.
- Descriptions and predictions must be numerical to be general and practical.
- Measurement mediates between scientists and nature,
But measurement isn't transparent:
-
Measurement inserts at least one exra process.
- Numbers have their own structure
- meristic vs. continuous
- linear is not the only number line.
How does measurement drive and constrain theory-building? How do numbers?
Return to September 8, 2003 discussion of "Why Quantify?"