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The critique that mathematics is far too forgiving of ambiguity and lack of rigour is, however, quite entertaining.
by ajarmst 11y ago
The critique that mathematics is far too forgiving of ambiguity and lack of rigour is, however, quite entertaining.
- archgoon 11y agoLeslie Lamport has also leveled this criticism against mathematicians. http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/lamport/pubs/proof.pdf http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/lamport/pubs/p...
- ajarmst 11y agoFair enough, and thanks for reminding me of that paper, which is a gem. I'd argue that Lamport makes a convincing case with evidence and proposes changes that would rectify the evidenced issues. This author simply asserts it as a fact and then introduces an odd notation with little concrete justification. I also think Lamport's critique is less of the abstract symbolic systems used in mathematical proofs, but a lamentable tendency to use prose.