3 ms·
>we have a system of mathematics built on a few basic principles (that you would not disagree with) and deductive reasoning I think it's even better than that;
by AimHere 13y ago
>we have a system of mathematics built on a few basic principles (that you would not disagree with) and deductive reasoning
I think it's even better than that; mathematicians don't necessarily care whether the reader 'agrees' with the axioms, or whether they're in any sense 'true' or 'false'. Mathematics is always of the form 'if these axioms are true, this theorem follows from it'.
The real world and the notions which people consider to be self-evidently true is just some messy slimy gooey gunk best left to psychoanalysts and theoretical physicists and sewer workers and the like.
- pflats 13y agoOh, I agree, that's the best part. Pick your rules: oh, you picked those seven? You've got a ring; here are your math rules! In that specific case, though, I figured I'd point out that the basic rules of math aren't usually things people squabble over. (Although I do enjoy a little mathematical philosophy from time to time.)
- pseut 13y agoEven better is when, to everyone's surprise, those seven turn out to be relevant for describing real world phenomena.