Template:M intro design Nomological machine: Difference between revisions

So, for example, take Newton’s second law of motion, ''F=ma''. The ''force'' (F) acting on an object is equal to its ''mass'' (m)  times its ''[[acceleration]]'' (a).  

This is an immutable law of physics.<ref>For all non-relativistic, non-quantum scales.</ref> But the conditions in which it holds — zero friction, perfect elasticity, a non-inertial frame of reference — never prevail in “the field”. In life, there is always friction, energy loss through heat, wind, and impurity. We can never  be sure, either of our measurements — was it exactly a newton? — nor whether the force was perfectly flush, whether our speedometer was correctly calibrated. So we expect the prediction to be near enough without being accurate to the micrometer. The neat formula, with all these unrealistic conditions, is a ''nomological machine''. If the universe does not seem to obey the law, we can blame shortcomings in observed criteria. The nomological machine is not properly represented.