alt Hacker News> course, if physics does exist - i.e. the universe is governed by a finite set of laws
That statement is problematic. It implies a metaphysical set of laws that make physical stuff relate a certain way.
The Humean way of looking at physics is that we notice relationships and model those with various symbols. They symbols form incomplete models because we can't get to the bottom of why the relationships exist.
> that doesn't mean that we can predict the future, as that would entail both measuring things precisely and simulating them faster than their operation in nature, and both of these things are... difficult.
The indeterminism of Quantum Mechanics limits how how precise measure can be and how predictable the future is.
> That statement is problematic. It implies a metaphysical set of laws that make physical stuff relate a certain way.
What I meant was that since physics is the scientific search for the laws of nature, then if there's an infinite number of them, then the pursuit becomes somewhat meaningless, as an infinite number of laws aren't really laws at all.
> They symbols form incomplete models because we can't get to the bottom of why the relationships exist.
Why would a model be incomplete if we don't know why the laws are what they are? A model pretty much is a set of laws; it doesn't require an explanation (we may want such an explanation, but it doesn't improve the model).