Slobodan Vrhovac
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(New page: If we, as physicists, want to go ahead and get some insight into the physically nontrivial problems, we are practically forced to compromise with mathematical rigior. The art of theoretica...) |
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| - | If we, as physicists, want to go ahead and get some insight into the physically nontrivial problems, we are practically forced to compromise with mathematical rigior. The art of theoretical physics (this may be taken as a definition) is in optimizing the ratio R(t) between nonrigorous and rigorous aspects of the theory in any given problem at a given time in history; this rigor factor R(t) is assumed to be a decaying function of time, as a result of the refinements of the theory. A theory reaches equilibrium and stationarity when R(t) =0. '''But perfect beauty is equivalent to death.''' A perfect theory can only be contemplated and admired: no further work can be done on it. Fortunately, for all physical theories, R(t) > 0. | + | "If we, as physicists, want to go ahead and get some insight into the physically nontrivial problems, we are practically forced to compromise with mathematical rigior. The art of theoretical physics (this may be taken as a definition) is in optimizing the ratio R(t) between nonrigorous and rigorous aspects of the theory in any given problem at a given time in history; this rigor factor R(t) is assumed to be a decaying function of time, as a result of the refinements of the theory. A theory reaches equilibrium and stationarity when R(t) =0. '''But perfect beauty is equivalent to death.''' A perfect theory can only be contemplated and admired: no further work can be done on it. Fortunately, for all physical theories, R(t) > 0." |
(''R. Balescu, in Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics, Wiley & Sons 1975.'') | (''R. Balescu, in Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics, Wiley & Sons 1975.'') | ||
Revision as of 10:42, 26 December 2007
"If we, as physicists, want to go ahead and get some insight into the physically nontrivial problems, we are practically forced to compromise with mathematical rigior. The art of theoretical physics (this may be taken as a definition) is in optimizing the ratio R(t) between nonrigorous and rigorous aspects of the theory in any given problem at a given time in history; this rigor factor R(t) is assumed to be a decaying function of time, as a result of the refinements of the theory. A theory reaches equilibrium and stationarity when R(t) =0. But perfect beauty is equivalent to death. A perfect theory can only be contemplated and admired: no further work can be done on it. Fortunately, for all physical theories, R(t) > 0."
(R. Balescu, in Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics, Wiley & Sons 1975.)
