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Single Idea 4240
[filed under theme 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 1. Mathematics
]
Full Idea
It might be argued that mathematics does not, or should not, aim at truth.
Gist of Idea
It might be argued that mathematics does not, or should not, aim at truth
Source
E.J. Lowe (A Survey of Metaphysics [2002], p.375)
Book Ref
Lowe,E.J.: 'A Survey of Metaphysics' [OUP 2002], p.375
A Reaction
Intriguing. Sounds wrong to me. At least maths seems to need the idea of the 'correct' answer. If, however, maths is a huge pattern, there is no correctness, just the pattern. We can be wrong, but maths can't be wrong. Ah, I see…!
The
30 ideas
with the same theme
[discovered or invented, within or outside nature]:
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560
|
Mathematical precision is only possible in immaterial things
[Aristotle]
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9076
|
Mathematics studies the domain of perceptible entities, but its subject-matter is not perceptible
[Aristotle]
|
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12377
|
Mathematics is concerned with forms, not with superficial properties
[Aristotle]
|
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2252
|
Surely maths is true even if I am dreaming?
[Descartes]
|
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2430
|
I can learn the concepts of duration and number just from observing my own thoughts
[Descartes]
|
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17185
|
Mathematics deals with the essences and properties of forms
[Spinoza]
|
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16918
|
Mathematics cannot proceed just by the analysis of concepts
[Kant]
|
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12427
|
All of mathematics is properties of the whole numbers
[Kronecker]
|
|
15910
|
Cantor named the third realm between the finite and the Absolute the 'transfinite'
[Cantor, by Lavine]
|
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16869
|
To create order in mathematics we need a full system, guided by patterns of inference
[Frege]
|
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12456
|
I aim to establish certainty for mathematical methods
[Hilbert]
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12461
|
We believe all mathematical problems are solvable
[Hilbert]
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8717
|
Hilbert wanted to prove the consistency of all of mathematics (which realists take for granted)
[Hilbert, by Friend]
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10059
|
In mathematic we are ignorant of both subject-matter and truth
[Russell]
|
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18119
|
Mathematics is a mental activity which does not use language
[Brouwer, by Bostock]
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10132
|
There can be no single consistent theory from which all mathematical truths can be derived
[Gödel, by George/Velleman]
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18281
|
In mathematics everything is algorithm and nothing is meaning
[Wittgenstein]
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9935
|
Mathematical truth is always compromising between ordinary language and sensible epistemology
[Benacerraf]
|
|
9812
|
In mathematics, if a problem can be formulated, it will eventually be solved
[Badiou]
|
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6298
|
Kitcher says maths is an idealisation of the world, and our operations in dealing with it
[Kitcher, by Resnik]
|
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12392
|
Mathematical a priorism is conceptualist, constructivist or realist
[Kitcher]
|
|
18078
|
The interest or beauty of mathematics is when it uses current knowledge to advance undestanding
[Kitcher]
|
|
12426
|
The 'beauty' or 'interest' of mathematics is just explanatory power
[Kitcher]
|
|
9226
|
If mathematical theories conflict, it may just be that they have different subject matter
[Field,H]
|
|
6304
|
Mathematical realism says that maths exists, is largely true, and is independent of proofs
[Resnik]
|
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10201
|
Virtually all of mathematics can be modeled in set theory
[Shapiro]
|
|
9604
|
Mathematics is the only place where we are sure we are right
[Brown,JR]
|
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4240
|
It might be argued that mathematics does not, or should not, aim at truth
[Lowe]
|
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10880
|
Mathematics can be 'pure' (unapplied), 'real' (physically grounded); or 'applied' (just applicable)
[Clegg]
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15907
|
Mathematics is nowadays (thanks to set theory) regarded as the study of structure, not of quantity
[Lavine]
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