Equivalently, Sir Isaac Newton would say “Hypotheses non fingo.” Newton’s magnum opuses are combined into 142 propositions, 122 theorems, and 42 problems by factual examples. Although a proposition is similar to a hypothesis, it is a form of generalization supported by hundred pages of mathematical calculations. From these computational methodologies and geometric demonstrations, Newton was able to deduce and to assert the 3 laws of motion and the universal law of gravitation. His treatises have a total of 548 pages of mathematical exposition. In comparison to the other Pythagorean-Platonic emphasis on quantitative relations as the essence of reality, Newton was unique compared to Kepler, Galileo, Descartes, and Huygens. In a sense, Newton can be considered as the founder of mathematical physics which established the principle that the goal of scientific activity should be the creation of quantitative mathematical facts leading to concretely verifiable physical laws, ipso facto mathematics and ipso jure physics.
At the turn of the 20th century, ipso facto approach to scientific discovery was again implemented by Max Planck for the first quantum theory of blackbody radiations, while 5 and 15 years later ipso jure approach with underlying a priori physical principles was used by Einstein for the physical discoveries of both special and general theory of relativity. The first approach uses the logic of mathematical induction to derive a valid conclusion, while the second uses the logic of physical deduction to support a mathematical formulation. Fortunately, both approaches contributed greatly to the progress of modern scientific revolution. However, unfortunately, they still cannot be rectified into a single mathematical framework of a TOE. The problem for their union might be their use of different hypercomplex numbers. Advanced quantum theories are described by spinors, while general relativity is described by tensors. The formers require imaginary numbers, while the latter only real numbers suffice. Attempts to solve both using real complex imaginary twistors were still not successful. But another option would be to use real symmetric Hadamard matrices.


LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote

