[music-dsp][ot] DSP vs analog circuits

[Bob Cain]

Michael Gogins wrote:
> 
> Physical theories derive from axioms (called, usually, "laws" or
> "equations"). The question whether constants are empirical or not, is
> completely beside the point whether the theory is a formal system.
> Theories with oodles of empirical constants can still be formal systems.
> Once you start to apply the theory, you don't know or care where the
> constants come from (hence it is a "formal" system - in principle its
> use can be automated).

Thanks, Michael, for a very informative post.  At a basic level I don't
quite understand the above statement.  If there are constants in the
system that can't be derived from axioms of the system then in some way
they must become axioms themselves.  Correct?  Perhaps c=186,000 mi/sec
is perfectly acceptable as an axiom but something about it that I can't
put my finger on just doesn't sit right with me.


Bob
-- 

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no simpler."

                                             A. Einstein


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