Steps towards "Quantum Gravity" and the practice of science: will the merger of mathematics and physics work?

TL;DR

This paper discusses the historical and conceptual challenges in merging mathematics and physics in the pursuit of quantum gravity, highlighting potential obstructions and the need for careful scientific integration.

Contribution

It critically examines the assumptions and difficulties in unifying mathematics and physics for quantum gravity research, emphasizing philosophical and methodological issues.

Findings

Identifies challenges in the mathematization of physics.

Highlights potential obstructions to quantum gravity theories.

Calls for careful integration of mathematics and physics.

Abstract

The author recalls general tendencies of the "mathematization" of the sciences and derives challenges and tentative obstructions for a successful merger of mathematics and physics on fancied steps towards "Quantum Gravity". This is an edited version of the author's opening words to an international workshop "Quantum Gravity: An Assessment", Denmark, May 17-18, 2008. It followed immediately after the Quantum Gravity Summer School 2008, see http://QuantumGravity.ruc.dk/