Modification:Sciento-2019-0012

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Accept that the phenomenological claims of classical physics are still accepted as the best available descriptions of their respective observable phenomena.

The modification was suggested to Scientonomy community by Markus Alliksaar on 24 December 2019.1 The modification is currently being evaluated; a verdict is pending.

Preamble

According to Barseghyan, while Newtonian mechanics (NM) is used in practical applications, it is no longer accepted as the best available description of physical processes.2p. 31 Yet, this portrayal of NM as unaccepted but merely used is problematic. Consider, for instance, the current status of meteorology. It is clear that the current meteorological theory is accepted by the community as the best available description of atmospheric phenomena. However, this theory itself is based on some classical theories, including NM and classical thermodynamics. Thus, we arrive at a seeming paradox: "we have an accepted theory (i.e. meteorology) that is based on theories which are themselves no longer accepted, but merely used (i.e. NM)."1p. 34 This is not a unique case, as most theories accepted in the Earth sciences are also based on the theories of classical theories. The question is how this seeming paradox can be resolved.

Modification

Accept that while the ontologies of classical theories, such as those of Newtonian mechanics, classical thermodynamics, or classical electrodynamics are no longer accepted by the physics community, their phenomenological claims are still accepted as the best available descriptions of their respective observable phenomena, i.e. as the best available answers to their respective questions.

Consequently, reject the idea that these classical theories are no longer accepted but merely used.

Verdict

The modification is currently being evaluated; a verdict is pending.

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References

  1. a b  Alliksaar, Markus. (2019) The Status of Classical Physics in the Contemporary Scientific Mosaic. Scientonomy 3, 33-43. Retrieved from https://scientojournal.com/index.php/scientonomy/article/view/33595.
  2. ^  Barseghyan, Hakob. (2015) The Laws of Scientific Change. Springer.