more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
Perhaps the most important of all multi-valued properties is energy itself. I think a scientific realist must believe that energy exists.
Gist of Idea
Energy is the key multi-valued property, vital to scientific realism
Source
Brian Ellis (The Metaphysics of Scientific Realism [2009], 2)
Book Ref
Ellis,Brian: 'The Metaphysics of Scientific Realism' [Acument 2009], p.45
A Reaction
It's odd that the existence of the most basic thing in physics needs a credo from a certain sort of believer. I have been bothered by notion of 'energy' for fifty years, and am still none the wiser. I'm sure I could be scientific realist without it.
| 20646 | Helmholtz used 'energy' to mathematically link heat, light, electricity and magnetism [Helmholtz, by Watson] |
| 20644 | Energy has progressed from a mere formula, to a principle pervading all nature [Kelvin] |
| 17540 | Energy is that which moves, and is the substance from which everything is made [Heisenberg] |
| 17541 | Energy is an unchanging substance, having many forms, and causing all change [Heisenberg] |
| 12674 | Energy is the key multi-valued property, vital to scientific realism [Ellis] |
| 15265 | 'Energy' is a quasi-substance invented as the bearer of change during interactions [Harré/Madden] |
| 15280 | 'Kinetic energy' is used to explain the effects of moving things when they are stopped [Harré/Madden] |
| 24162 | Planck introduced the idea that energy can be quantized [Baggott] |
| 21183 | Thermodynamics introduced work and entropy, to understand steam engine efficiency [Hesketh] |