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Bruce DePalma 18 Ju Iy 1995

That is Science

It is v,rel1 knolrn that geonetrical optics is a nathenatical techniquefor the design of lenses. Using this theoretical construct dif fract ionlinited optical systerns nay be fabricated. The important point is thatdif fract ion l inited optical systerns are l ihited by the propert ies ofl iqht. fhe general inference is that the theoretical construct iscorrect because what can be desiqned and fabricated is I inited by thenatural propert ies of that which is operated upon by the systen. Inthis case a f\rrther ref inernent in the theoretical construct lrou1d notlead to an increase in the resolut ion of a dif fract ion Linited systen.The question to be asked isi vrould further ref inernent in theoreticalexpressions of electromagnetic forces lead to any irnprovement inel ectro-nagnetic devices? The other area of concern is inconceptual i zat ions. Is i t proper to attr ibute to the (nodel of) thee lec t ron the resu l t s o f d ispara te exper i rnen ts , i , e . charge , nass ,radius, rnagnetic nonent, rrspinrr. Is an electric current the novemento f d isc re te r r c ha rges r r .The Weltanschauung of the theoretical physicist is that there jE someov e ra l l un i f y i ng c onc ep t . t he us e o f node l s , i , e , t he ' e l ec t ron ' , i s are f lec t ion o f th is i dea . I hes i ta te to c i t e t he E ins t e i n i an v i ew o f' equ i v a lenc e ' , no t on ly because i t i s to ta f l y \ ^ r rongbu t ph i l os oph i c a l l yincorrect. Nevertheless the bl ind and misguided applicat ion of thisidea by the Relat ivists goes on even when confuted by experinentalfac ts .The real reason why philosophical surds l ike central order, universafformaf principles and equivaLence persist is because the anbiguit iesthey create offer endless lebensraun for the creation of pseudo-phys ica l t heo re t i c a l d reans by t he ep igones . N one o f t h i s , ipso fac to ,can o f fe r nank ind any he lp in the ra t iona l i za t ion o f the phys ica lw o rLd .It is not the fault of electro-nagnetisn that ten dif ferent theoriesexist for the 'explanation' of efectromagnetic forces.Proper experinental science consists of the design and execution ofsimple experinents in which the resuft is the unarnbiguous revelat ion ofa sirnple truth. The prisnatic dispersion of white l ight into aspectrun of colors, the attract ion or repulsion of paral1el currentcar ry lng w1res . The generator action of a rotating magnetlzedconductor, the nunerology of the periodic tabl.e of elements and therat ionalizat ion of organic chenistry by the benzene ring or double-helix are such sinple truths.Sorne physiclsts cafl thenselves experltnenta I i sts because they take datafrorn experirnents. Others call thenselves theoretical scientistsbecause they dream the dreams of the paranoid and schizophrenic.What is useful for nankind is the simple observation of an experinentalresult rrhich in i tself creates a neer rdorld fron the otd.The world is round, not f lat. The planets revolve around the sun, notaround the Earth. fhe benzene ring rat ionalizes organic chenistry.cravity is a f low not a force. Space consists of pure energy, thedislort ion of eJhich engenders the created world.

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18 Ju ly 1995 paqe 2 of 2

of his experiments. Nor to delude himself into thinkinq the

Bruce DePalma

Alt of these observations are the result of the exarnination of nanyexperinents, the coflat ion of enorrnous data. I f i t is said that toread the results of one year's accunulat ion of experirnental data takes12 years, then the reader has not learned to reject the absurd, to cuflout the j.neptfy taken experimental data, to exercise discrirninationbetvreen the real and the unreal.The conplete scientist is a balanced person. He has the discerntnentand discrimination to perceive the underlying truths of nature, hiddenbeneath the nult ipl ic ity of experinental appearances. He has enouqhsense not to extend his theoretical exDectat ions bevond the resolut ionmanipulat ions of nathenatics can offer him rnore insight than thec onc ep t ua l i z a t i ons on w h i c h Lhey a . re bas ed .what is required in Science is not the training of rnore clones orepigones. what is required is the bafancing of the individual, theharrnonizatj.on of thinking - The development of insight, andobservational inst incts to discrininate between the real and theun rea l . f ha t i s Sc ienc e .