Re: Epistemology 201: The Science of Science

From: Albert (albertwagner_at_cox.net)
Date: 02/09/05 

Date: Tue, 08 Feb 2005 19:47:01 -0600

Tony Orlow (aeo6) wrote:
<snip>
> I don't see abstract truths as being any less "real", even though they
> aren't physical, than the "real" world. When we abstract them from the
> environment, those representations are in our heads. Yet, the truth that
> we abstract from the environment is there without us. We discover it,
> rather than invent it. I was offering as concrete an example as I can
> think of to demonstrate that prime numbers, an example of integers, are
> indeed apparent in nature. I simply take the opposite view from the one
> that says we invented the math that governs nature. That idea is absurd
> to me, since nature has apparently always behaved according to the rules
> we are discovering, long before we came along. I suppose now we're going
> to talk about how each one of us is god and creates our own reality?
>
> Okay, maybe the pervasive pissiness I keep seeing is starting to seep
> into me. But, mathematical truth is a priori and prima causa, gagnaggit!

I personally have no problem with saying that there is a
mathematics that is a priori and prima causa in Nature. My
problem is with those who claim that *all* of modern mathematics
is so, when so much of what is claimed by some mathematicians is
patently an invention and is totally unrelated to the world. 

-- 
"Don't you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the 
range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally 
impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it."
     -- George Orwell as Syme in "1984"

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Simple Question and the philosophy of infinity
    ... concepts in mathematics correspond to sensual experiences. ... It's quite possible that nature would operate in no way ... and is thus immune to evidence, it must be the case that evidence ... isn't about this Truth. ...
    (sci.electronics.basics)
  • Re: Epistemology 201: The Science of Science
    ... > we abstract from the environment is there without us. ... > that says we invented the math that governs nature. ... But, mathematical truth is a priori and prima causa, gagnaggit! ... mathematics that is a priori and prima causa in Nature. ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: Epistemology 201: The Science of Science
    ... > we abstract from the environment is there without us. ... > that says we invented the math that governs nature. ... But, mathematical truth is a priori and prima causa, gagnaggit! ... mathematics that is a priori and prima causa in Nature. ...
    (sci.math)
  • Cause, learning & Evolution
    ... It is supposed in Western science that the nature of a Human ... inherent or genetic and what acquired from the environment. ... "Allah is He Who created seven heavens, and of the earth the like of them. ... According to the Quran everything is created by the Word of Allah with Truth ...
    (soc.religion.islam)
  • Re: The uncorrected simplifications/oversimplifications of
    ... >>> The sciences are required to be empirically based but mathematics is ... >>> right as a theory of nature. ... >>> Hamilton's tautology for the diploid case. ... > become acceptable as a proposition of science. ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)