Ideas from 'The Character of Physical Law' by Richard P. Feynman [1965], by Theme Structure

[found in 'The Character of Physical Law' by Feynman,Richard [Penguin 1992,0-140-1-75059]].

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1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 7. Despair over Philosophy
People generalise because it is easier to understand, and that is mistaken for deep philosophy
                        Full Idea: The topic of the laws of nature has a tendency to become too philosophical because it becomes too general, and a person talks in such generalities, that everybody can understand him. It is then considered to be some deep philosophy.
                        From: Richard P. Feynman (The Character of Physical Law [1965], 1)
                        A reaction: Feynman was famously anti-philosophical, but this is a good challenge. I like philosophy because I want to know broad general truths about my world, but I may just be gravitating towards what is easier. The challenge is to get true generalities.
26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 4. Regularities / a. Regularity theory
Physical Laws are rhythms and patterns in nature, revealed by analysis
                        Full Idea: There is a rhythm and a pattern between the phenomena of nature which is not apparent to the eye, but only to the eye of analysis; and it is these rhythms and patterns which we call Physical Laws.
                        From: Richard P. Feynman (The Character of Physical Law [1965], Ch.1)
27. Natural Reality / B. Modern Physics / 2. Electrodynamics / d. Quantum mechanics
Nobody understands quantum mechanics
                        Full Idea: I think I can safely say the nobody understands quantum mechanics.
                        From: Richard P. Feynman (The Character of Physical Law [1965], 6)
                        A reaction: It is really important that philosophers grasp this point!
27. Natural Reality / C. Space / 3. Points in Space
We should regard space as made up of many tiny pieces
                        Full Idea: Feynman claims that we should regard space as made up of many tiny pieces, which have positive length, width and depth.
                        From: report of Richard P. Feynman (The Character of Physical Law [1965], p.166) by Edwin D. Mares - A Priori 06.7
                        A reaction: The idea seems to be these are the minimum bits of space in which something can happen.