What is ab initio

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  • September 22, 2026 at 7:07 pm #15007
    Des
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    My interpretation is that all mathematical models start from some kind of assumption:
    Classical mechanics -> Newtons laws
    Quantum mechanics -> Schrodinger equation / Path integral formalism
    Electromagnetism -> Coulomb law
    Ab initio means that we are trying to predict the behavior of a system by making as little assumptions as possible, and avoiding phenomenological descriptions or experimental data. In that sense, I would only call quantum mechanics an ab initio model as it makes the least assumptions.

    September 22, 2026 at 7:09 pm #15008
    Des
    Participant

    I think there is an argument o be made that classical mechanics is also an ab initio model, as it can be derived from quantum mechanics.

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