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Does math exist?

Started by Plu, June 05, 2013, 02:29:45 PM

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Plu

An interesting video on the topic of whether or not math is even a real thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... bNymweHW4E

I'd like to hear your opinions. I'm still trying to figure out my own :P

josephpalazzo

Math like the alphabet is a mental construct. OTOH, geometry is physics... don't get me started.

missingnocchi

I think that everything is math and people who believe in irrational numbers should be killed.
What's a "Leppo?"

Solitary

A lot of mathematicians think math is a discovery and exist in reality. I think it is an invention used to describe quantum reality that can't be described pictorially, or our world that can be described pictorially.  Good question though. Bill
There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.

aitm

I have often wondered what philosophers think about when not serving fries or glasses of pinot grigio.....now I know.
A humans desire to live is exceeded only by their willingness to die for another. Even god cannot equal this magnificent sacrifice. No god has the right to judge them.-first tenant of the Panotheust

Solitary

:-$  I'm drinking my Old Vine Zinfandel now.  :rolleyes:  Bill
There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.

josephpalazzo

Nothing beats beer and pizza.

 :P

Seabear

I dunno, do "words" really exist? What about colors?

It's philosophical bullshit like this that makes me want to kick someone in the balls.

For something that may not really "exist", it sure does a fantastic fucking job of allowing us to do things like make the computer you are reading this on work as designed. Things it would be impossible to do without it.
"There is a saying in the scientific community, that every great scientific truth goes through three phases. First, people deny it. Second, they say it conflicts with the Bible. Third, they say they knew it all along."

- Neil deGrasse Tyson

josephpalazzo

There are no numbers in your computer, except on your keyboard. Inside of your computers is a bunch of wires and switches.

Plu

I don't think anyone is going to argue that math doesn't work. But that doesn't mean that math is a tangible thing. And there's a big difference in approach to it between "it's a real, tangible thing" and "it's just stuff we make up".

Seabear

"There is a saying in the scientific community, that every great scientific truth goes through three phases. First, people deny it. Second, they say it conflicts with the Bible. Third, they say they knew it all along."

- Neil deGrasse Tyson

stromboli

Quote from: "aitm"I have often wondered what philosophers think about when not serving fries or glasses of pinot grigio.....now I know.

Thank you. I was not aware that Pinot Grigio was the correct wine to serve with fries.

Colanth

See?  Philosophy DOES have some actual use.
Afflicting the comfortable for 70 years.
Science builds skyscrapers, faith flies planes into them.

_Xenu_

Quote from: "missingnocchi"I think that everything is math and people who believe in irrational numbers should be killed.
They are needed in college algerbra... not saying its right.
Click this link once a day to feed shelter animals. Its free.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/ars/home

Solitary

:-$ Don't even think about imaginary numbers.  :-k   :Hangman:  I just thought about an infinity of infinitesimals meeting at aleph.  :rolleyes:  Bill
There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.