What is Practical: Definition and 323 Discussions

Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that considers words and thought as tools and instruments for prediction, problem solving, and action, and rejects the idea that the function of thought is to describe, represent, or mirror reality. Pragmatists contend that most philosophical topics—such as the nature of knowledge, language, concepts, meaning, belief, and science—are all best viewed in terms of their practical uses and successes.
Pragmatism began in the United States in the 1870s. Its origins are often attributed to the philosophers Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey. In 1878, Peirce described it in his pragmatic maxim: "Consider the practical effects of the objects of your conception. Then, your conception of those effects is the whole of your conception of the object."

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  1. C

    Practical demonstration of radiation

    Hi, I'm going into a school for a day to help out with a science week and I've been asked to talk about mobile phones and electromagnetic radiation. The age range is 14-16 and its UK GCSE level. I'm trying to get ideas for practicals or interesting demonstrations to give, so far I've...
  2. R

    A practical application of quantum mechanics

    Give one practical application of quantum mechanics and write about it in 4 to 5 sentences.
  3. M

    Voltmeter Practical: Why is Reading Higher with Load?

    Hi, I did a practical today in class, and I got curious and did another setup of my own [Setup 2 in the attached diagram], and I have a question about the voltmeter. As attached, when I did Setup 1 and Setup 2, the reading on the voltmeter for Setup 2 was quite higher. Why would this be? I...
  4. B

    Is it common(or practical) to be commited to two research projects as an undergrad

    I'm only taken twelve hours of classes next semester and I want to focus on both astrophysics topics and a topic in condensed matter.
  5. M

    Practical importance of inductance

    wts the practical importance of inductance in dc and ac working? application of ideal current and voltage sources(dint know dey had specific applications till the time i saw dis question in a college paper...i thought dey were just theoretical...)? how does an ammeter measure the rms value...
  6. D

    Practical Electret Question

    Hi folks, This is my first post. It is a problem in a manufacturing process and I am hoping to find some information and a solution. I manufacture high voltage pinhole detection systems use in the manufacture of plastic products. At the moment we have a system in place testing...
  7. G

    Modeling Population Growth: Solving for P(t) Using Integration

    Homework Statement a population P(t) is modeled by the equation dP/dt = 0.0004P(P-150), Find a formula which gives the population, P(t), at a general time t. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution swapping over dt=1/0.004P(P-150) dP then i integrate both sides dt...
  8. A

    Understanding Torsion Angle in Practical Applications

    Dear all, I need clarification regarding torsion angle. In textbook torsion angle is explaining that one end is rigidly fixed another end is giving load.In this we can visualize theta where as practical application motor coupled with line(transmitting lengthy shaft)shaft i cannot visualize...
  9. D

    Have you tried using a laser system for distance and location measurements?

    Has anyone had any experience in using a laser system for measuring distance or location? I am looking for the laser emitter as well as the receiver as kind of like a matched pair. I haven't really been able to find anything other than laser emitters on their own, and wanted to know if...
  10. S

    Practical Uses of Zinc Oxidation Reaction: Fire and Smoke

    I have been working on carrying out a reaction in which i get zinc to oxidize creating fire and smoke. Does anyone have any ideas as to how this reaction can be useflul to society.. i want to show that even a weird little experiment like this really could have an effect on the world. For one...
  11. M

    Practical applications of eigenvectors

    Homework Statement A simple eigenvector problem using a 2x2 matrix. Homework Equations Ax = \lambda x The Attempt at a Solution I don't have one. I know and understand the theory behind eigenvectors, but I cannot think of a practical application. I need to create a problem that uses...
  12. T

    Practical Voltage Translator Question

    If logic levels of two chips do not match up, say a CPU at 3 volts and a peripheral at 5V, you will need to translate voltages. I want to do this for a serial interface, but I don't know if the translator will ruin my data. The serial signal is in the hundreds of MHz. The only thing to tell...
  13. G

    How Can I Create a Low Frequency Radio Transmitter Using a Speaker?

    Hello, Lately i have came across an interesting article. Currently i am interested in synthesizing a long wavelength (3Hrtz, 9 Hertz or 12.5 Hertz) at a strong power. The transmitter circuit can be of low voltage which will later on be converted by a multiplayer to a strong signal (which is...
  14. F

    Wormholes: Are they practical?

    I was just wondering since I discussed this with some people before, but exactly how likely is it that wormholes in space-time are possible to use for transportation methods or some other form of practical use? One thing I heard as a most likely problem with it is the fact that the massive force...
  15. S

    Geometry in High School: Uses & Practical Applications

    Excuse me, since the question could be misplaced to this board while a better forum board might fit: Why is Geometry in High School, the college preparatory course, important for any PRACTICAL puposes, when Intermediate Algebra, Trig+Math Analysis, and Statistics seem so much more practical...
  16. S

    Practical effects if it is proved that P=NP

    What would be the practical effects if it is proved that P=NP and an efficient polynomial time algorithm is found for NP-complete problems? By practical effects, I mean the practical effects of perfectly solving the problems which have been proven to be NP-complete (like Boolean SAT...
  17. P

    Is the study of black holes using entanglement practical?

    That is, entangling two particles and sending one off in a controlled manner (i'm not sure if we're sophisticated enough to even contain a particle in a quantum state without interference so please fill me in) to a black hole and then observing the entangled particle that we kept in some lab on...
  18. L

    What is a Quotient Set: Practical Terms & Euler's Phi Function

    what exactly is a quotient set? I know it "partitions" a large group of numbers into discrete subsets but I still don't know what exactly it is in practical terms. Like, does it relate somehow to Euler's phi function?
  19. Ookke

    Practical meaning of simultaneity calculations?

    Is there any practical reason for calculating simultaneity of distant events? Two events either are causally connected or not, and there is nothing relative about this. If a cause-effect link doesn't exist, does it matter if the events are calculated to be simultaneous from a certain point of...
  20. T

    Hooke's Law Practical activity

    Homework Statement This isn't acctually a problem but I really don't know what to do. I was doing a simple activity about Hooke's Law during class today where I have to set up a apparatus and measure the extension of spring when when we put differnt masses on it. I didn't do it properly so I...
  21. Q

    How Can You Measure Light Intensity Variation with Wavelength Using an LDR?

    Homework Statement Design a lab experiment using a LDR to investigate how the intensity of light emmited by a lamp varies with wavelength Homework Equations how the wavelength of the light falling in the LDR is determined how a measure of the intensity can be obtained from the LDR...
  22. D

    On error analysis of my practical

    [Urgent]On error analysis of my practical Homework Statement well, the aim of the practical is to calculate the speed of light using LED, oscilloscope and varying fiber optics cable. i have my results as follows : L /m t1 t2 t3 t4 t5 t6 t7 t8 t9 t10 taverage 5.00 (28 30 28 28 28 28 28 28...
  23. C

    Practical question about modular multiplication

    OK, so I'm writing a program and I want to calculate modular exponents. The only hard part is the multiplications. It would be best if I could work with numbers where, at all intermediate stages, each number is less than 2^64. If I must create a bit array I suppose I'll do that, but this would...
  24. L

    Absolute entropy, definition, measurement, practical use

    Following a few threads here, I would be interrested this question was clarified as much as possible: How is the absolute entropy defined, and why ? How can it be measured ? Is it needed for applications, and when ? (examples ?) Thanks to help clarify this fundation of thermodynamics...
  25. S

    Yet another projectile motion question - for practical writeup

    I am having no luck with my writeup. We did two related practicals: shot a rocked straight up to find the height, and then shot out at angles to obtain a range. For the first one, two angles were obtained using a clinometre, then averaged: d = 30 θ = 60, 69 Av. θ = 64.5 d = 60 θ = 46...
  26. C

    Practical Questions: Answers Wanted

    Dear colleagues, Perhaps you can help me on this... :redface: I have two questions: 1) Is it possible to receive posts and comments from someone else's blogs via email (something like an rss to email converter)? 2) Is it possible to save videos from Perimeter Institute on the hard...
  27. T

    What Did You Think of the A2 Physics Practical Exam and Coursework?

    Not really a "help" question, but it is coursework related... now that the Physics A-level coursework and Practical Exam are over (so no chance of being accused of cheating), I'm curious to know: what did everybody think of them? All I can say is, there wasn't enough time. The spring question...
  28. R

    Help With Practical Exam - Struggling with Equations

    hello i really struggle with this! i can never get the equations right or anything! i can't find any sites that help! i have a practical exam tomorow that could be about it please help thanks
  29. S

    Applying SC. Lemma: Conditions & Practical Uses

    so the way book states it, for the sc. lemma to work, |f(z)| has to be less than or equal to 1 and and z has to be less than 1. However, the book seems to use the lemma in some problems even if one of the conditions is not satisfied ... any help with gretaly appreciated also ...if you could...
  30. S

    New source of constant inflow of energy for practical use

    Probably this is already being disscused somewhere else, but nevertheless... --------------- I'm going to use some analogies to explain it. Human kind have found out and learned to use only sources of energy that are observable (expiriencable) by some/any of the human senses, or are...
  31. D

    Help with Lab Practical Questions | Solutions & Explanations

    Hi, I have a lab practical this Thursday evening, and I'm hoping maybe one of you guys can help me find the answers to these practice questions. These are some compiled questions from past labs that I need help with: (takes a big breath) I) What are the factors that need to be taken into...
  32. B

    What are some of the practical problems encountered in modern fusion attempts?

    just curious.
  33. D

    Practical Question about Forces

    I need to approximate how much force is exerted on a 16cm diameter wheel (assume it's rigid and doesn't absorb force) upon traveling over an average sized bump (relative to its diameter). Does anyone have a suggestion on a method to do this?
  34. T

    2006 A2 Practical Planning Exercise

    anyone stuck for ideas?
  35. wolram

    What is the maximum weight a lever can lift based on its mechanics?

    If one is only considering the mechanics of a lever, what is the maximum a physically possible lever can lift ?
  36. E

    Modern Algebra: Practical Applications in Real Life

    Hey can somebody list the practical applications of Modern Algebra? Anything that's grounded in reality?
  37. C

    IC Companies Hiring Physicists: Research or Practical?

    Generally, what do IC Companies like Intel and IBM hire physicists for? Are they just looking to fill research positions or do we see them on the practical side?
  38. P

    Practical question about circuits and stuff.

    Practical question about circuits and stuff. :D Maybe this is the wrong forum.. but I'm trying to do something... (Might be silly, but oh well..) I have this dance dance revolution (DDR) pad-- for those of you who don't know, it's that arcade game which everyone plays at arcades and stuff--...
  39. D

    SHM MULTIPLE damping coefficents practical help

    Right, I'm about to open a big can of worms: I'm investigating eddy current damping of Simple Harmonic motion and I'm going to be investigating how the damping coefficient varies with various factors including the distance of the magnetic field (irrelevant, just informing). A "magnetic tunnel"...
  40. C

    Practical pseudoprimality testing

    I'm working on a problem that includes testing large numbers for primality. I'm using Pari/GP's built-in Baillie-PSW pseudoprimality test, but it (understandably!) runs slowly. I have some qustions, then: * I've been sieving the small prime factors from these numbers. For numbers if the...
  41. C

    Practical size limit to nuclear power plant?

    Assuming the current anti-nuclear public/political climate remains in place and no new nuclear plant sites would be allowed (nor within a reasonable timeframe) why not just simply increase the existing capacity? For a hydro plant it makes sense there is only so much water that can be...
  42. Loren Booda

    Your practical tips for energy efficiency

    What habits and technology can we adopt to reduce personal energy consumption?
  43. A

    Improving Practical Physics Skills: Tips for Struggling Students

    any tips on how to improve my practical skills in physics? something seems to always go wrong for me in physics practicals, I am fine in chemistry. even tho i have a whole year (once a week) on pracs i managed to end up with a C in it.
  44. F

    Designing Piping Systems for Oxygen Service: Practical References

    Does anyone, by chance, happen to have some good, practical references in the design and preparation of piping systems for use in pure oxygen service? My ASTM references are about as close to worthless as it can get. Thanks.
  45. B

    Is this a deadly trap?

    Scary "Practical Joke" I saw an old rusted refrigerator turned on its side, with its back facing me. On the up-facing right side of this appliance, in gray spray-paint stencil letters, the following words: God hates puppies. Here now I was thinking of the Stephen King novel, It, wherein...
  46. T

    Practical impedance matching

    Hi, I have a few 50 ohm loop antennas tuned to resonate at 13.56 MHz. (inductive RFID antenna). I would like to test one antenna´s influence on the other, so I think one approach is to connect one antenna directly to a signal generator. Do I have to design any matching circuit between the...
  47. X

    Does anyone know any practical uses for the number Phi?

    Does anyone know any practical uses for the number Phi? I have just read a book about it and I am wondering what else it can be used for. Such as in Electronics or mechanical engineering. Thanks! =-)
  48. G

    A Practical Joke That Went Very, Very Wrong

    Has anyone ever played a practical joke on someone and the results didn't quite turn out like you planned? Well, many years ago this happened to me. When I was married in the 80's, I decided to play a seemingly harmless prank on my husband. It was on a Saturday and there was a movie playing in...
  49. C

    Practical application of partial,simple differential equation

    can anybody tell with equation,the practical applications of partial differential equation and ordinary differential equation. If it is in mechanical engineering statics etc will be helpful
  50. A

    Quick questions for tomorrows E&M lab practical exam

    There are two things related to using oscilloscopes that I am a bit fuzzy on for a practical lab exam I will take tomorrow morning: 1) Use the oscilloscope to determine the frequency of the square wave between terminals B and C of the test box. ( We will press and hold down the button on...
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