From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.4 (2020-01-24) on polar.synack.me X-Spam-Level: ** X-Spam-Status: No, score=2.1 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_20,INVALID_MSGID, REPLYTO_WITHOUT_TO_CC autolearn=no autolearn_force=no version=3.4.4 X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: 109fba,1042f393323e22da X-Google-Attributes: gid109fba,public X-Google-Thread: 103376,1042f393323e22da X-Google-Attributes: gid103376,public X-Google-Thread: 1014db,1042f393323e22da X-Google-Attributes: gid1014db,public From: Spaceman Spiff Subject: Re: Software Engineering and Dreamers Date: 1997/06/03 Message-ID: <3394E43A.5780@flash.net>#1/1 X-Deja-AN: 247124574 References: <5m57nu$7si@bcrkh13.bnr.ca> <5mcp5o$ei7$3@news.cc.ucf.edu> <5md1fl$9f4@bcrkh13.bnr.ca> <5mmvgj$61k@squire.cen.brad.ac.uk> <19970602.562B58.2B32@ai110.du.pipex.com> <3394D229.5B76@epix.net> Organization: Me!! Reply-To: csweber@flash.net Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++,comp.lang.c,comp.lang.ada Date: 1997-06-03T00:00:00+00:00 List-Id: > Mathew Hendry wrote: > > Imagine that you have produced a theory about the movements of the planets, > > basing it upon Newtonian dynamics. I provide a competing theory, based upon > > the exploits of invisible crocodiles. > > > > The two theories give exactly the same predictions. > > > > Given your claim that theories are judged only on their consistency with > > observations, how do you choose between these two theories? You missed this one by a mile (kilometer). The competition between Relativity and quantum physics, suffered from those same arguments. You choose by the one that fits observation, can predict formerly unknown behavior, and has the least assumptions (things that are accepted, unproven, like invisible crocks and magnetic fields). Anyone with a slight background in science should know that. -Scotty