3 ms·
to see if Math is discovered or invented, the easy thing to do is to see if a set of axioms can be discovered or is invented A math theory arises from the axio
by sorokod 7y ago
to see if Math is discovered or invented, the easy thing to do is to see if a set of axioms can be discovered or is invented
A math theory arises from the axioms it is based on. You just rephrased the question and added the word "easy".
Put it another way, starting from a set of axioms we get a simple ( by some semiobjective definition of simple ) pure math theory that predicts reality to a rediculous level of precision.
Those initial axioms, were they discovered or invented?
- roywiggins 7y agoMath is only sometimes done that way. Often an interesting field gets axiomatized later. Calculus, arithmetic, geometry, algebra, all existed productively for centuries before axiomatization. Same way you can build a programming language without a formal spec. Yes, you might find an ambiguous piece of code later, or paint yourself into a corner. But you can do quite a lot without axioms.
- sorokod 7y agoCalculus, arithmetic, geometry, algebra, all existed productively for centuries before axiomatization. and now, in the year 2020, have the axioms been invented or discovered?