In physics and especialy quantum physics everything is theoretical. It may well be that all our current theories are close approximations to reality, or we are COMPLETELY wrong and by complete coincidense we are mislead into believing their validity by close corespondense with observation, (chances of this are null).

We have the theory of relativity, not the law of relativity. We have the standard model of particle physics, not the "law of quantum interactions". All theories are mathematical models that happen to explain observations in nature to a great degree of accuracy. That was my mistake in saying they proved the Hawking Effect in that it hasn't been observed, but it had better be correct if our current theories and understanding of quantum physics and gravity are to hold any ground. This effect was proved on mathematical grounds, not observational. Negative energy is just as much a theoretical consequence of QED and GR as is energy. And what's more is whether or not virtual anti-particles can have negative energy rests simply on the definition of such particles. QED says you could very well interpret them as such.

• Is math a "human product" or is universe a product of math? - alexander - August 21, 2001 - 20:45 UTC
  • If.....Then.... - smartguy - August 21, 2001 - 21:54 UTC
    • Yes, math is just a logic and logic is:"exist/not exist "states. - alexander - August 21, 2001 - 22:34 UTC
      • Here's the problem - harvey1 - August 22, 2001 - 14:20 UTC
        • Nice post Harv... - smartguy - August 24, 2001 - 05:16 UTC
          • A tree structure for reality - harvey1 - August 24, 2001 - 20:19 UTC
            • So, any object which can exist/not exist at the same time? - alexander - August 27, 2001 - 19:08 UTC
              • I'm not sure what you mean - harvey1 - August 27, 2001 - 19:49 UTC
              • Do I exist/not exist?? - smartguy - August 28, 2001 - 03:36 UTC
    • Formal systems - harvey1 - August 22, 2001 - 01:01 UTC
      • Good one.... - smartguy - August 24, 2001 - 06:35 UTC
        • Not so fast - harvey1 - August 24, 2001 - 19:49 UTC
          • I give up... - smartguy - August 24, 2001 - 21:13 UTC
            • the blackhole of reason - harvey1 - August 24, 2001 - 22:37 UTC
              • Interesting, please elaborate... - smartguy - August 25, 2001 - 05:37 UTC
                • More on monads - harvey1 - August 27, 2001 - 21:51 UTC
                  • Origin of logic (math). - alexander - August 30, 2001 - 23:54 UTC
                    • Then what does it mean to not exist? - smartguy - August 31, 2001 - 02:47 UTC
                      • Vice versa: anything existing means 1 by definition. - alexander - August 31, 2001 - 03:22 UTC
                        • Circular reasoning - harvey1 - August 31, 2001 - 17:14 UTC
                      • Take a deep breath - harvey1 - August 31, 2001 - 17:51 UTC
                    • I don't think this works Alex - harvey1 - August 31, 2001 - 12:00 UTC
                      • For the first time Harv.... - smartguy - August 31, 2001 - 17:40 UTC
                        • Ad infinitum - harvey1 - August 31, 2001 - 18:24 UTC