sci.physics.electromag

On Mar 21, 6:51=A0pm, "Robert J. Kolker" wrote:
> maxwell wrote:
>
> > Tom, I was making a point about the physics, NOT some mathematical
> > comment about two points that are infinitely close together or
> > Einstein's mental processes. =A0By introducing the term 'manifold' you
> > have already left the world of reality (physics) and landed on Plato's
> > planet of invariant relationships (math). =A0Instead of writing
> > mathematical gobbleygook like "SR is a consequence of local symmetries
> > of the universe" why not talk about real phenomena, like electricity.
> > SR is supposed to work at macro-separations: stop hiding behind
> > infinitessimals, such as 'local symmetries'. =A0SR is a theory of EM
> > (check out your history - what do you think Larmor, Poincare & Lorentz
> > were doing?).
>
> Making mistakes. Lorentz admitted that Einstein's approach was the best.
> Every covariant theory of gravitation requires manifolds.
>
> The fact of the matter is that mathematics is the horse upon which
> physics rides. Newton did not come up with his theory of motion until he
> invented calculus, complete with infinitesimals.
>
> The equations ARE the theory.
>
> Bob Kolker
Wrong again, Bob. Calculus was introduced to SOLVE the equations, not
to derive the ideas, which were in the tradition of natural philosophy
- a subject that mathematicians like yourself feel really
uncomfortable with. Check out Principia.