Is Objectivity Really an Objective Concept?

Is Objectivity Really an Objective Concept?

Year:    2022

Author:    Nicolas Van Goethem

Annals of Applied Mathematics, Vol. 38 (2022), Iss. 4 : pp. 441–492

Abstract

Objectivity is the name given to covariance with respect to changes in observers by the action of the Euclidean group and is a central concept for mathematical modelling in Physics and Continuum mechanics. However, this notion is delicate and therefore hard to understand by both mechanicians and mathematicians, precisely because it resides at the junction of the two disciplines and hence appeals to knowledge and notions from both fields to become clear. In a first part ("behind objectivity") some classical notions of objectivity and frame-dependence are presented, discussed and critically revisited with the purpose to introduce in a second part ("beyond objectivity") a novel modelling approach in incompatible elasticity, based on intrinsic and geometric concepts, related but distinct from conventional objectivity. This contribution is primarily conceived to assist students, academics and researchers, mathematicians in particular, to find their way through some difficult and often ill-understood concepts of Physics and Continuum mechanics, since objectivity still remains nowadays a profound concept that deserves our attention.

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Journal Article Details

Publisher Name:    Global Science Press

Language:    English

DOI:    https://doi.org/10.4208/aam.OA-2022-0003

Annals of Applied Mathematics, Vol. 38 (2022), Iss. 4 : pp. 441–492

Published online:    2022-01

AMS Subject Headings:    Global Science Press

Copyright:    COPYRIGHT: © Global Science Press

Pages:    52

Keywords:    Population dynamics birth mortality carrying capacity population-age-time model. Frame indifference objectivity elasticity incompatibility.

Author Details

Nicolas Van Goethem