Date: Tue, 20 Aug 1996 13:27:16 -0500 From: derekh-AT-yorku.ca (Derek Hrynyshyn) Subject: RE: Science on another planet Tobin - thanks, I think you have done a good job of elaborating the possibilities that I would think support what I was saying. The perception of wavicles etc is just what I would have meant, if I had thought of it myself. But hans raises interesting issues as well. The idea that we are 'closer' to gravity because non-polarized forces can be cumulative is hard to argue with. But what if another planet had some species that did not feel gravity but could sense magnetic charge? Digression: To construct a thought experiment in which beings do not perceive gravity - consider some kind of fish living in a liquid substance on a planet very large so that the differences of gravitational force are negligible as you mover further from the bottom of the ocean. Or perhaps beings who live in a zero-gravity environment. (I can't quite think of a plausible explanation for that one, but I am sure it must have happened on some Star Trek episode....) Wouldn't such beings be likely to think of electromagnetic forces first then gravity later? On a methodological level, I have to say that these kinds of thought experiments can't be decisive or convincing in deciding between Hans' position and mine. But I would guess that, even with my limited notions of phyics and biology, I could continue to construct possible species that could plausibly be expected to perceive the world in ways that lead to different scientific histories. This is not to deny the truth of what Hans has said about the layer-like structure of fundamental forces. But here is another point - consider the influence of extra-perceptual forces such as economics on science. Another species just like us might not hang on to capitalism as long and might develop theories that would be necessary to develop solar power generation before atomic bombs..... derek. Derek Hrynyshyn, Graduate Program Phone: 650-2276 in Political Science, derekh-AT-yorku.ca York University Ross S609 Communications Officer, CUPE local 3903 cupe3903-AT-yorku.ca * Fax: 736-5480 * Office: 736 - 5154 http://www.yorku.ca/org/cupe/cupe3903.htm
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