Is Physics A Religion?

O

OilIsMastery

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Bertrand Russell writes in Our Knowledge of the External World:

In physics as ordinarily set forth, there is much that is unverifiable: there are hypotheses as to (a) how things would appear to a spectator in a place where, as it happens, there is no spectator; (b) how things would appear to a spectator in a place when, in fact, they are not appearing to anyone; (c) things which never appear at all.
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What's the difference between physics and religion?
 
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Alpha Rules:

Defend your statements.
Direct questions regarding your statements must be clearly addressed in a timely manner (within reason... sometimes too many questions are asked at once). "I don't know" is a valid answer.

...

Be clear
Say what you mean. Try not to be coy, or overly subtle.
Most importantly, request for clarification must be answered. Politely.
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But don't worry. Since you're an atheist it's doubtful these rules will be enforced. Forum rules don't apply to atheists.
 
The difference is evidence. Before you point to string theory or something, know that these are tentative ideas, not tenets of faith.
 
There is some extrapolation from the specific to the general, is that what you mean? Some principles are detected and verified indirectly, from their effects on something else.
 
In physics there are hypotheses which cannot possibly be tested and will never be tested. Therefore physics is speculative. Just like metaphysics and religion. I'd sooner believe in chimeras and faeries than physics.
 
But these are acknowledged to be hypothesis until they are confirmed. Unlike religion, they are not considered fact until then. On some level, you are correct that theoretical physics (as opposed to the physics used to put the space shuttle in orbit), resembles the most liberal forms of religion. The requirements for confirmation of these ideas are very different, though.
 
spidergoat said:
But these are acknowledged to be hypothesis until they are confirmed. Unlike religion, they are not considered fact until then.
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Physics makes factual claims all the time based upon assumptions and principles which by definition cannot be proven. In religion on the other hand we acknowledge our hypthesis is called faith not certainty. Religion is far more scientific than physics.

On some level, you are correct that theoretical physics (as opposed to the physics used to put the space shuttle in orbit), resembles the most liberal forms of religion. The requirements for confirmation of these ideas are very different, though.
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;)
 
OilIsMastery said:
Apparently you've never heard of a Christian physicist. Do you know who Isaac Newton is?
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No, I do not know who that IS. If there is someone around by that name he probably has little to do with this topic anyway. But I do know of someone by that name who once existed. Perhaps that's who you mean and you simply don't know how to use verbs properly?:bugeye:
 
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