What Makes Gravity Such a Mysterious Force?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of gravity, exploring questions about its origin, mechanisms, and the philosophical implications of asking "why" gravity exists. Participants share their thoughts on gravity from various theoretical perspectives, including general relativity and geometric interpretations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses curiosity about the fundamental nature of gravity, questioning why it occurs and what its origins are.
  • Another participant asserts that general relativity provides a sufficient explanation of gravity, suggesting that further inquiry into "why" may be unproductive.
  • A different view emphasizes that science focuses on "how" rather than "why," indicating a philosophical stance on scientific inquiry.
  • A participant introduces a geometric analogy involving individuals walking on a sphere, proposing that their paths converging could illustrate a conceptual understanding of gravity, despite questioning the correctness of this analogy.
  • There is a correction regarding the geometry of parallel lines, with a participant noting that in plane geometry, parallel lines do not intersect, while another suggests that the context of the discussion may involve a different geometric framework.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of gravity and the appropriateness of asking "why." There is no consensus on the philosophical implications of gravity or the validity of the geometric analogy presented.

Contextual Notes

Some participants challenge the assumptions underlying the geometric analogy and the definitions of parallel paths, indicating a potential misunderstanding of geometric principles in different contexts.

CozmicScott
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"Good Grief Gravity"

HI , I'm new here and would just like too hear some thoughts on what everyone's idea about the force of gravity is, and why this magical attaction between mass occurs? Where does it come from? Why does it do what it does? etc. Thankyou.
 
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General relativity tells us about gravity. If you're still asking for 'why' beyond that, then you've probably regressing too far to be useful.
 


Hurkyl said:
General relativity tells us about gravity. If you're still asking for 'why' beyond that, then you've probably regressing too far to be useful.


It's just a fun simple question. If i had any other answer other than General Relativity, or Newton's law which for makes it understandable, and explain's it. That information on that force certainly would be useful would it not? I'm sorry for asking "why", but I think if we knew why we could know other things of great importance. Maybe I should have posted else where sorry.:redface:
 


Gravity, so tells us general relativity, is a force unlike any other because it is a geometric construct: it arises because of the topology of space-time. I think that answers in part one of your questions.
 


Hey, Coz;
One of the main things about science is that it never asks 'why'. That implies some sort of purpose for something happening. Science asks only 'how'.
 


I read "The Elegant Universe" By: Brian Greene

That book helps a lot...

One thing I think of when thinking of gravity (whether it's right or not idk) is that if you had two individuals walking parallel to each other on a sphere that represented space their paths would eventually cross at, for example, a "pole" this "phenomena" they are experiencing could be defined as "gravity" although there really are no forces at work despite the fact that they come together along parallel paths...
 


cholley said:
I read "The Elegant Universe" By: Brian Greene

That book helps a lot...

One thing I think of when thinking of gravity (whether it's right or not idk) is that if you had two individuals walking parallel to each other on a sphere that represented space their paths would eventually cross at, for example, a "pole" this "phenomena" they are experiencing could be defined as "gravity" although there really are no forces at work despite the fact that they come together along parallel paths...

Even though my geometry is kinda rusty, I don't think parallel paths can cross.
 


Teeril said:
Even though my geometry is kinda rusty, I don't think parallel paths can cross.

Your geometry isn't rusty parallel lines are NOT supposed to cross... that is, in Plane Geometry. However, what you are dealing with is not plane geometry but something more akin to Oceanic Navigation Geometry which has a history dating back for as long as man has sailed the seas (search for more precise dates b/c idk).
 

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