Re: Epistemology 201: The Science of Science

From: Jason (jasonstevensNOSPAM_at_free.net.nz)
Date: 01/25/05 

Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 11:44:22 +1300

"Lester Zick" <lesterDELzick@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:41f6797c.51071447@netnews.att.net...
> On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 13:16:17 +1300, "Jason"
> <jasonstevensNOSPAM@free.net.nz> in comp.ai.philosophy wrote:
>
> >> >> Bull***. Mathematics has no empirical falsification. Mathematics is
> >> >> not a science.
> >> >
> >> >Hey, who holds the heavenly taxonomy here? Catholic rank please.
> >> >
> >> >Maybe you are right, that maths isn't science, whatever "science" means.
> >Maybe
> >> >it is art, whatever that is. Maybe maths is just maths... but then again
> >maybe
> >> >it isn't. Let the people Know the answers cast the first insult.
> >> >
> >> >Some people say maths isn't a science because it is not empirical, as if
> >> >empiricism is the necessary condition to wear the reverent name "science".
> >If
> >> >this is the case, Maths can be let into the faith. They proved the four
> >colour
> >> >map problem by empirical means didn't they? How are primes found?
Chaitin
> >> >suggests that maths needs to be quasi-empirical because they've run into
the
> >> >limits of prediction.
> >>
> >> Axioms, mathematical and otherwise, are subject to empirical
> >> contradiction just as in common, ordinary, mundane science.
> >
> >
> >This is just maths as a tool versus maths as a formal system. But why not
talk
> >about maths as a demand for bubble-gum?
> >
> >I don't think there is any disagreement if people read your "some might
vouch"
> >qualifications. They seem more interested in getting in touch with their PMS
> >and having a knowledge-off about maths.
>
> The really interesting thing in all this is that people are focusing
> on the wrong issue.

We don't engage in dialogue, the dialogue engages us :)

> The idea that math is a tautological extrapolation
> on science in general, although true, is hardly as relevant or
> interesting in my estimation as the reduction of science in general
> through finite tautological regression.
>
> Regards - Lester

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