Thursday 15 June 2023

 

We now know the basic rules governing the universe, together with the gravitational interrelationships of its gross components, as shown in the theory of relativity worked out between 1905 and 1916. 

We also know the basic rules governing the subatomic particles and their interrelationships, since these are very neatly described by the quantum theory worked out between 1900 and 1930. 

What's more, we have found that the galaxies and clusters of galaxies are the basic units of the physical universe, as discovered between 1920 and 1930.



 that in every century people have thought they understood the universe at last, and in every century they were proved to be wrong.

It follows that the one thing we can say about our modern 'knowledge' is that it is wrong...



, when people thought the Earth was flat, they were wrong. 

When people thought the Earth was spherical they were wrong. 

But if you think that thinking the Earth is spherical is just as wrong as thinking the Earth is flat, then your view is wronger than both of them put together.



The basic trouble,  is that people think that 'right' and 'wrong' are absolute;

 that everything that isn't perfectly and completely right is totally and equally wrong.


 right and wrong are fuzzy concepts,

 in every century scientists think they have worked out the universe and are always wrong,

 how wrong are they? 

Are they always wrong to the same degree?