5 ms·
The question of whether math is invented or discovered is far from settled. I know next to nothing about math, but a quick google search for "math created or in
by ascuttlefish 16y ago
The question of whether math is invented or discovered is far from settled. I know next to nothing about math, but a quick google search for "math created or invented" brings up so much controversy I find it unlikely that it's been decided. See Mathematical Platonism and its Opposites by Barry Mazur (p. 19 in: http://www.ems-ph.org/journals/newsletter/pdf/2008-06-68.pdf http://www.ems-ph.org/journals/newsletter/pdf/2008-06-68.pdf). He says it's The Question that won't go away.
- ez77 16y agoIndeed. Further, at the risk of soun ding too phiosophical, this invention/discovery, Platonist/constructivist debate hinges on the fundamental notion of existence. And, as with most fundamental notions, the obvious soon ceases to be so.
- mturmon 16y agoNice link. The article before Mazur's, by Davis (author of the book I mentioned above) is also good.