文摘翻译：与模型相关的实在论

[pimgeek]

jk

下面的文字引自 史蒂芬-霍金 的 大设计(The Grand Design), 我觉得很受启发, 就把它转载于此, 并以自己的理解做了翻译.

we shall adopt an approach that we call model-dependent realism. It is based on the idea that our brains interpret the input from our sensory organs by making a model of the world. When such a model is successful at explaining events, we tend to attribute to it, and to the elements and concepts that constitute it, the quality of reality or absolute truth.

我们将采取一种(解释现实的)方式, 我们把它称作与模型相关的实在论. 它基于一个观念: 我们的大脑通过为世界建立一个模型的方式去解释来自我们的感觉器官的输入. 当这个模型能成功解释许多事件时, 我们就会把现实的本质或绝对真相归因于这个模型, 以及构成这个模型的元素与概念.

But there may be different ways in which one could model the same physical situation, with each employing different fundamental elements and concepts. If two such physical theories or models accurately predict the same events, one cannot be said to be more real than the other; rather, we are free to use whichever model is most convenient.

但是, 对一个人而言, 存在很多种不同的方式为同一个物理环境构建模型, 每个模型都可以使用不同的基本元素和概念. 如果两种物理理论或模型都能精确地预测同样的事件, 就不能说其中一个模型比另一个更真实; 而是说我们可以自由地选择任何一个(对自己而言)最方便的模型.