• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Predictions and Explanations

T'ai Chi

Penultimate Amazing
Joined
May 20, 2003
Messages
11,219
In the recent issue of the SI (p. 16), Massimo Pigliucci has an interesting article on predictions and explanations.

"Good explanations do not necessarily imply the ability to make good predictions. Furthermore, the ability to predict doesn't mean that one has an explanation of the predicted phenomenon."

So I'm wondering... A while ago when I posted that the taiji diagram (the yin-yang) is a good explanation, why a poster tried to take me to task by essentially saying that it doesn't predict anything. Clearly, good explanations do not necessarily imply the ability to make good predictions.
 
Actually all good explanations allow for a prediction. Just because someone says something doesn't make it true. Thats a euphemism.
 

Back
Top Bottom