On 9/15/06, Mathieu Bouchard matju@artengine.ca wrote:
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006, Kyle Klipowicz wrote:
I know, it really demystifies the whole Uncertainty Principle haze of confusion. After learning that it's just a result of tradeoffs with mathematical measurements, it doesn't seem like such a deep and powerful revelation of the universe.
It should instead appear as a deeper and more powerful revelation of the universe. Just because now you understand it doesn't mean it's not deep, it just means that you are deeper :)
It highlights the fact that the thing observed is never the thing-in-itself, for one. That no matter how well you know any thing or system, it's still only your own mind that you are knowing. I mean, the principle applies to every measurement, not just scientific ones. Kind of solipsistic. For me, it also brings to mind the question of the fundamental unit of matter. If there is such a thing, and it can never be accurately measured, then whether it is "particle" or "wave" isn't knowable or relevant. If it's the structure within which we evolved since forever, how can it be dissected into other things? When some thing can't be explained in terms of other things, people get uncomfortable. They resort to giving names, like Adam.
-Chuckk