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Terry Tao's generals (2012)

web.math.princeton.edu

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Re: Terry Tao's generals (2012)

#141

Post by thsksbd »

GTP wrote: post #79
thsksbd wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

PhD is a license to teach (i.e. doctor) philosophy. Specifically, in "science" fields, natural philosophy. Natural philosophy was the original (and i think better) name for science, especially physics. It was understood to be an important subbranch of philosophy. I think its better name because it elucidates an important epistemological difference: science is a method, not knowledge. I learn science when I learn abou…

> In fluids, Bernoulli devised experiments to demonstrate to his calculus illiterate colleagues what he had already mathematically proven. Maybe I misunderstood you, but I have the feeling you're downplaying the importance of experiments in Physics. Once you mathematically prove something, you proved that a statement is true when given a certain set of axioms. This is enough in Mathematics, like your example of the P…

"Experience, Theory and Experiment" from 1955 as found in "An Idiot's Fugitive Essay on Science" by Truesdell.

Bloody brilliant. 70 years ago he foresaw the problems of modern science.

Re: Terry Tao's generals (2012)

#142

Post by wheelinsupial »

pasc1878 wrote: post #91
thsksbd wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

PhD is a license to teach (i.e. doctor) philosophy. Specifically, in "science" fields, natural philosophy. Natural philosophy was the original (and i think better) name for science, especially physics. It was understood to be an important subbranch of philosophy. I think its better name because it elucidates an important epistemological difference: science is a method, not knowledge. I learn science when I learn abou…

Why specifically in science. PhD is the degree you usually get at that level for English, Classics, Economics, Histrory etc.. Some Universities use DPhil (Oxford) for all these but I know of no other degree at that level except for those two (MD is effectively lower and DSc is usually some form of honourary degree and I am not certain what LLD is)

MIT seems to offer an ScD as an alternative to the PhD in some fields.

https://oge.mit.edu/graduate-admissions/programs/doctoral-de...

Re: Terry Tao's generals (2012)

#143

Post by wheelinsupial »

parentheses wrote: post #138
nvarsj wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Reading TFA I actually was reminded of doing system design interviews. It has a pretty similar vibe. Although the interviewers here seemed a lot more lenient than ones I've experienced in tech (Tao saying he "barely passed" kinda confirms it). Not something fun to go through, that's for sure!

TFA?

The fine article… or pick your preferred f word.

Re: Terry Tao's generals (2012)

#144

Post by riffraff »

lordnacho wrote: post #66
riffraff wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Holy cow, I had not until today realized that "doctor" comes from "docere" (to teach). Thanks for enlightening me!

Which makes you wonder why a medical doctor is called that?

that's the root of the word. The original four-wise distinction seems to have been Doctor of Medicine/Law/Natural Phylosophy/Theology. Just different kinds of knowledgeable people.

Interestingly enough I just realized in Italian there is an old word, "dotto" that literally would mean "someone who has been taught" but concretely is used in the sense of well educated, knowledgeable, wise, cultured.

Bologna, the home of the first university, has the nickname "la Dotta", i.e. the educated one.

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