Is Mathematics Discovered Or Invented? 798
An anonymous reader points out an article up at Science News on a question that, remarkably, is still being debated after a few thousand years: is mathematics discovered, or is it invented? Those who answer "discovered" are the intellectual descendants of Plato; their number includes Roger Penrose. The article notes that one difficulty with the Platonic view: if mathematical ideas exist in some way independent of humans or minds, then human minds engaged in doing mathematics must somehow be able to connect with this non-physical state. The European Mathematical Society recently devoted space to the debate. One of the papers, Let Platonism die, can be found on page 24 of this PDF. The author believes that Platonism "has more in common with mystical religions than with modern science."
I know this! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Logical positivism to the rescue... (Score:5, Funny)
Damn, I am too drunk to type. I have one eye closed as I type.... so you win
It is indeed discovered (Score:2, Funny)
I mean, it's a bit like asking wether a tree falling really makes a sound if nobody's there to hear it. Of course it bloody well does!
Re:Logical positivism to the rescue... (Score:5, Funny)
Oh, and the correct answer is "discovered"
No, I think the correct answer is "Why are you asking the question?" There might be a more interesting (and perhaps answerable) question that underlies it.
Re:Logical positivism to the rescue... (Score:1, Funny)
All the rest is the work of man.
Re:Logical positivism to the rescue... (Score:4, Funny)
"Hmm... I wonder if the larger box would still be better value for money if I were eating it in a spaceship with a velocity approaching c"
Re:Logical positivism to the rescue... (Score:3, Funny)
No, I think the correct answer is, "What are you asking?"
Civ (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Logical positivism to the rescue... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Parallel (Score:5, Funny)
- shazow