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Rigor is not the whole point of math. Understanding is. Rigor is a tool for producing understanding. For a further articulation of this point, see https://arxi
by woopwoop 6mo ago
Rigor is not the whole point of math. Understanding is. Rigor is a tool for producing understanding. For a further articulation of this point, see
https://arxiv.org/abs/math/9404236 https://arxiv.org/abs/math/9404236
- 1970-01-01 6mo agoThis conflates rigor with proof. Proof is the solve to the argument you are making. Rigor is how carefully and correctly the argument is made. You can understand something without rigor but you cannot prove it.
- layer8 6mo ago> You can understand something without rigor but you cannot prove it. I think I disagree. There are formal proofs and informal proofs, there are rigorous proofs and less rigorous proofs. Of course, a rigorous proof requires rigor, but that’s close to tautological. What makes a proof is that it convinces other people that the consequent is true. Rigor isn’t a necessary condition for that.