Full Idea
To get from a detailed factual knowledge of a situation to an equation, we must prepare the description of the situation to meet the mathematical needs of the theory.
Gist of Idea
To get from facts to equations, we need a prepared descriptions suited to mathematics
Source
Nancy Cartwright (How the Laws of Physics Lie [1983], Intro)
Book Reference
Cartwright,Nancy: 'How the Laws of Physics Lie' [OUP 2002], p.15
A Reaction
She is clearly on to something here, as Galileo is blatantly wrong in his claim that the book of nature is written in mathematics. Mathematics is the best we can manage in getting a grip on the chaos.
Related Idea
Idea 3645 To understand the universe mathematics is essential [Galileo]