pjbasis posted...
From: ToukaOone | #147
In simpler terms, 'physical laws' is not something the universe has; it's something we have. If a physical law is wrong, it's because we're wrong, not because the universe is wrong.
I might still not be fully understanding this, but what I'm trying to say is that maybe their is no discernible pattern to the universe. Science assumes there is.
I'm saying that you're using "discernable" in a confusing way.
Take the word "left". It makes no sense to say "left" unless you specify "left with RESPECT to what". The same direction as my left hand? A coordinate system which points one direction as "left" and another as "right"? So, THIS CUP is to MY left makes a lot more sense than "This cup is to the left" (this works in conversation, because in English you implicitly mean "my left" or "your left", but just because you can leave it off sometimes doesn't mean it isn't there; try making a coordinate system where left is neither your left or the other person's left and see how confused the other person is if you don't tell him)
Similarly, when you say "discernible" or "not discernible" You ALSO have to say to WHOM it is discernible or not discernible. You can't just say "the UNIVERSE is not discernible", you have to say "the universe is not discernible to blah blah blah".
Now of course, you can just reply "I meant the universe is not discernible to any human." in which case I would ask "Then why single out science? I am apparently part of the universe, and you appear to be understanding what I'm saying!" And we can get into all sorts of quibbles about what discernible means or doesn't mean.
But my question is, is there any way to find out if the universe we live in is discernible or not? What makes you think that it's not discernible, or that discernibility is uncertain?
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