We hold these
postulates to be
intuitively obvious, that all
physicists are born equal, to a first
approximation, and are
endowed by their
creator with certain
discrete privileges, among them a mean rest life, n
degrees of
freedom, and the following rights which are
invariant under all
linear transformations:
- To approximate all problems to ideal cases
- To use order of magnitude calculations whenever deemed necessary(i.e. whenever one can get way with it)
- To use the rigorous method of "squiting" for solving problems more complex than the addition of positive real integers.
- To dismiss all functions which diverge as "nasty" and "unphysical".
- To invoke the uncertainty principle when confronted by confused mathmaticians, chemists,engineers,psychologists,dramatists, and other lower scientists.
- When pressed by non-physicists for an explanation of (4) to mumble in a sneering tone of voice something about physically naive mathematicians.
- To equate the two sides of an equation which are dimensionally incosistent, with a suitable comment to the effect of, "Well, we are interested in the order of magnitude anyway".
- To the extensive use of "bastard notations" where conventional mathematics will not work.
- To invent fictitious forces to delude the general public.
- To justify shaky reasoning on the basis that it gives the right answer.
- To cleverly choose convenient initial conditions, using the principle of general triviality
- To use plausible arguments in place of proofs, and thenceforth refer to these argumenents as proofs.
- To take on faith any principle which seems right but cannot be proved
(Author Unknown)