a posteriori

[AntonioLao]

A posteriori probability is derived from particular instances to a general principle or law, based upon actual observations or upon experimental data. Its truth cannot be logically argued from agreed definitions. One physical law that it applies is Newton’s universal law of gravitation. Newton purportedly made this discovery from observing ripening apples falling from trees. Ordinarily these events do not warrant any extraordinary perplexity, not until one apple happened to land on top of Newton’s head while sleeping under the tree. Personally, he did not think it was a serendipitous event for the headache he received but this discovery set the course for a rapid advancement of the scientific methods. For him, he might be at the wrong place at the wrong time. But for the progress of science, he was at right place, at the right time.

The falling apple has a posteriori probability of 1 for a nearby earthbound observer deducing the existence of gravity. But to a worm inside the apple, the a posteriori probability is zero since a free falling worm experiences no gravity. These two distinct probabilities became Einstein’s principle of equivalence between inertial mass and gravitational mass in the general theory of relativity. However, to some of the atmospheric gas molecules, they can experience different a posteriori probabilities depending on the directions of their changing velocities. Statistical mechanics of these different a posteriori probabilities allowed the creations of different cloud formations.

[labelwench]

But to a worm inside the apple, the a posteriori probability is zero since a free falling worm experiences no gravity.
Originally posted by AntonioLao

Then I am the worm inside an apple......

Until the protective casing of the fruit is removed, in any of a number of ways, I am insulated from the realities that occur to, and outside of the apple.

Perhaps the whole of the human species is only just awakening to the fact that there actually is 'something' beyond the insular existence of the inside of 'our' apple.....

[AntonioLao]

The difference between deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning is that some people can say they have it, but many can only say they must earn it. The ones who have it are called genius before the facts, but the ones who earn it are also called genius but after the facts.

[labelwench]

The difference between deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning is that some people can say they have it, but many can only say they must earn it. The ones who have it are called genius before the facts, but the ones who earn it are also called genius but after the facts.

By what means have you come to your skills, Antonio? Where did you receive your early education? Whom are your greatest influences and source of information?

In my observation, people have different means by which they acquire and assimilate information. Some may learn by reading or observing, but most seem to have the best retention when they are also able to participate in the 'doing'.

This works well for many practical skills but may be difficult to apply to conceptual learning.

Interesting to observe when those with primarily practical skills and those who are conceptual thinkers meet. Then there are some who seem to straddle the practical and the conceptual.

[AntonioLao]

By what means have you come to your skills

"Hit or miss" but according to some "trial and error" I was barely awarded a bachelor degree in physics in 1976 at the Catholic University of America, where and when there were two comtemporaries of Einstein in the faculty staffs of the physics department. One of them taught me thermodynamics and the other I only met socially at department's parties. In 1975, I was already having interest in thermonuclear fusion, and contacted the chairman of the Physics department at Princeton University in New Jersey where they were doing research on the Tokomak fusion reactors. He invited me to visit Princeton, which I did and I was given the opportunity of a first hand account of their progress. I applied but not accepted for graduate study at the University of Maryland where at the time they were also doing the theta pinch of fusion confinement. To this day, hot fusion technology remains a physicist's dream, while cold fusion is still considered a scientific fraud since the 1980s.