Full Idea
The pure mathematician deals exclusively with hypotheses. Whether or not there is any corresponding real thing, he does not care.
Gist of Idea
Pure mathematics deals only with hypotheses, of which the reality does not matter
Source
Charles Sanders Peirce (works [1892], CP5.567), quoted by Albert Atkin - Peirce 3 'separation'
Book Reference
Atkin,Albert: 'Peirce' [Routledge 2016], p.104
A Reaction
[Dated 1902] Maybe we should identify a huge branch of human learning as Hyptheticals. Professor of Hypotheticals at Cambridge University. The trouble is it would have to include computer games. So why does maths matter more than games?