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I keep seeing people repeat that the goal of math is "understanding". I do think that is one goal of math but I don't think it's the only one. I think an addi

I keep seeing people repeat that the goal of math is "understanding". I do think that is one goal of math but I don't think it's the only one. I think an additional goal is simply "truth", which can be found without understanding as we've seen with these human-incomprehensible proofs. Yet another is practical applications. While there's less of these in pure mathematics than in most domains, they do still exist.

curt15 20d ago
The primary goal of all basic sciences is human understanding. "Truth" is no more a goal for mathematicians than the physical laws are a goal to physicists; they simply exist in nature. The goal is rather to develop useful language and conceptual frameworks for reasoning and communicating. That understanding underpins all practical applications.
- bonoboTP 19d ago
  Sciences don't have goals, people have goals and they differ. Some are fans of pure math as a kind of religious or almost erotic activity in elegance and beauty, others are application minded. Some are in it for the community and outreach and conferences, some are in it to just sit in an office alone and be left alone to do it in a zen like flow state all day and night. Some treat it as a 9-5 to pay the bills with a skill they happen to be fit for but aren't especially passionate about.