Einstein changed things in 1915, the era when my parents were born. (The Dark Ages: primitive man, slide rules, and Model Ts.) Most importantly, he allowed a way to convert light to distance, and distance to time. That is exactly what he meant to do, sort of, but that may not be all true.
Mathematics will process the numbers without examining criteria. Much of science requires faith, even if the math is flawless. We depend on time, of course. This is no argument against it.
From a physics standpoint, mathematics is defined as “the abstract science of number, quantity, and space.” (OED) It is not an abstract science of time. Math variously requires, records, or suggests time; time is considered a universally present, infinitely non-recurring variable. Time is unlike things. Time does not behave according to, nor is it a branch of, physics. It cannot be fixed, nor recorded. If you take a photograph, you lose two dimensions. Time and depth.
Divide 10 boards by the 2 hours it takes you to sand them all, you get 5 boards per hour, and that means 12 minutes per board, even though not a single one took 12 minutes. One very rough board might take a full hour, and the other 11 account for the other hour. Math is like that. It can be sneaky! You are not determining how long it takes to sand a board. You are extracting numbers from time, to average them out and designate fixed and determinate conclusion.
Your head may swim, but all of this is important. “Abstract” means that math (especially statistics) exists in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence. First, look at the rules and definitions. And remember, there is no 12 minute board. Hesitating slightly, I say, “There is no spoon.”
I’ll try to avoid science for a few posts, and try to say something sports, fitness, politics, economy, missing our spring planting dates, crafts, or performance machines. Always in thought of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and in pursuit of His truth in all things.
Amen.
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