Mike,

Conceptual schemes, e.g., scientific theories, are subject to change when the scheme is no longer satisfactory due to new experiences (or new experiments/observations). For example, the language of Newtonian physics was based on a Newtonian conceptual scheme, and it wasn't until Einstein re-formulated a conceptual scheme based on relativity that the Newtonian scheme was found inadequate. The Newtonian language was eventually replaced. It didn't happen at once, but gradually. For example, here is a shift in language as quoted from Minkowski:

""Henceforth, space by itself, and time by itself, are doomed to fade away into mere shadows, and only a kind of union of the two will preserve an independent reality."

The shift in the conceptual scheme allowed new language to emerge. In this specific case it became known as space-time.

• That's not right - mikelev - July 22, 2003 - 15:32 UTC
  • Sure, it's right - harvey1 - July 22, 2003 - 16:57 UTC
    • touche! - mikelev - July 22, 2003 - 17:57 UTC
      • Dick is... - harvey1 - July 22, 2003 - 18:12 UTC
        • Another genius? - mikelev - July 22, 2003 - 18:38 UTC
          • Just be prepared - harvey1 - July 22, 2003 - 18:44 UTC
            • Btw - harvey1 - July 22, 2003 - 18:45 UTC
        • Um if I may comment... - dolphin - July 23, 2003 - 07:32 UTC
          • Not true - harvey1 - July 23, 2003 - 19:46 UTC
            • what is a logicist? - dolphin - July 23, 2003 - 21:12 UTC
              • Simple definition - harvey1 - July 24, 2003 - 14:54 UTC
                • Then you already know - dolphin - July 27, 2003 - 05:44 UTC
                  • My view is this - harvey1 - July 27, 2003 - 13:16 UTC
                    • misunderstanding - dolphin - July 31, 2003 - 11:13 UTC
                      • Serious question - harvey1 - July 31, 2003 - 13:45 UTC
                        • No - dolphin - August 4, 2003 - 00:42 UTC