vault backup: 2026-03-03 14:58:23

heuristics.md

@@ -22,6 +22,15 @@ With that heuristic,
 one can closely approximate small dimensions,
 even without the proper tools.
 
+It is tempting to believe that heuristics are not ideal,
+that the most accurate method ought to be preferred.
+
+%%
+even using a ruler is a heuristic,
+subject to the tool's tolerance
+and reliant on its proper use.
+%%
+
 ## Realism vs. Instrumentalism
 
 Realism holds that the purpose of [scientific research](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research)
@@ -29,6 +38,16 @@ is to describe the world as accurately as possible.
 Instrumentalism (anti-realism) argues that the purpose
 is to _forecast as accurately as possible_.
 
+> [!quote] _Opinionated History of Mathematics_, "Did Copernicus steal ideas from Islamic astronomers?" (pp.)
+> Ptolemy's lunar model is "flawed"
+> in that it inaccurately describes Luna's distance from Earth,
+> however Ptolemy only ever used the model to predict eclipses,
+> which the model does very well.
+> The discrepancy is only a flaw from a realist perspective.
+
+Realism is noble, granted,
+but instrumentalism is far more practical.
+
 > [!quote] George E. P. Box, British statistician
 > All models are wrong, but some are useful.[^1]
 
@@ -37,10 +56,3 @@ is to _forecast as accurately as possible_.
     > does not necessarily detract from its usefulness
     > because all models are approximations.
     > Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful.
-
-> [!quote] _Opinionated History of Mathematics_, "Did Copernicus steal ideas from Islamic astronomers?" (pp.)
-> Ptolemy's lunar model is "flawed"
-> in that it inaccurately describes Luna's distance from Earth,
-> however Ptolemy only ever used the model to predict eclipses,
-> which the model does very well.
-> The discrepancy is only a flaw from a realist perspective.