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Single Idea 10059

[from 'Mathematics and the Metaphysicians' by Bertrand Russell, in 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 1. Mathematics ]

Full Idea

Mathematics may be defined as the subject in which we never know what we are talking about, nor whether what we are saying is true.

Gist of Idea

In mathematic we are ignorant of both subject-matter and truth

Source

Bertrand Russell (Mathematics and the Metaphysicians [1901], p.76)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Mysticism and Logic' [Unwin 1989], p.76


A Reaction

A famous remark, though Musgrave is rather disparaging about Russell's underlying reasoning here.