This paper sets out to show how mathematical modelling can serve as a way of ampliating knowledge. To this end, I discuss the mathematical modelling of time in theoretical physics. In particular I examine the construction of the formal treatment of time in classical physics, based on Barrow’s analogy between time and the real number line, and the modelling of time resulting from the Wheeler-DeWitt equation. I will show how mathematics shapes physical concepts, like time, acting as a heuristic means—a discovery tool—, which enables us to construct hypotheses on certain problems that would be hard, and in some cases impossible, to understand otherwise

Mathematical models of time as a heuristic tool / Ippoliti, Emiliano. - STAMPA. - 1(2016), pp. 119-136. [10.1007/978-3-319-38983-7].

Mathematical models of time as a heuristic tool

IPPOLITI, Emiliano
2016

Abstract

This paper sets out to show how mathematical modelling can serve as a way of ampliating knowledge. To this end, I discuss the mathematical modelling of time in theoretical physics. In particular I examine the construction of the formal treatment of time in classical physics, based on Barrow’s analogy between time and the real number line, and the modelling of time resulting from the Wheeler-DeWitt equation. I will show how mathematics shapes physical concepts, like time, acting as a heuristic means—a discovery tool—, which enables us to construct hypotheses on certain problems that would be hard, and in some cases impossible, to understand otherwise
2016
Model-Based Reasoning in Science and Technology. Logical, Epistemological, and Cognitive Issues
978-3-319-38983-7
formalism; heuristics; time; mathematics; modelling
02 Pubblicazione su volume::02a Capitolo o Articolo
Mathematical models of time as a heuristic tool / Ippoliti, Emiliano. - STAMPA. - 1(2016), pp. 119-136. [10.1007/978-3-319-38983-7].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/889710
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