Problem with addition
- From: John Jones <jonescardiff@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:41:29 +0100
A problem of addition can be summarised thus
1) To be countable, elements must be alike.
2) Elements that are indistinguishable cannot be counted.
On the face, both statements seem true. Counting is an impossibility. Yet we can count, nevertheless. Indeed, the problem is not confined to counting but to any mathematical manouvure.
It may or may not be wise to search for a resolution to this problem by exploiting the difference between 'alike' and 'indistinguishable'. A difference between 'alike' and 'indistinguishable' has been suggested by Kant who thought that all mathematical entities were temporally placed. Indistinguishable objects that are placed temporally become distinguishable and alike, thus allowing for the existence of mathematics. Temporality of course can be abstractly configured through sequence and order which, we must suppose, are the lynch-pins of any mathematical structure.
.
- Follow-Ups:
- Re: Problem with addition
- From: LauLuna
- Re: Problem with addition
- From: herbzet
- Re: Problem with addition
- From: Peter_Smith
- Re: Problem with addition
- From: David C . Ullrich
- Re: Problem with addition
- Prev by Date: Re: The nature of the mathematical set
- Next by Date: Re: Computable functions/reals.
- Previous by thread: Carpet Cleaning in Los Angeles or San Fernando Valley
- Next by thread: Re: Problem with addition
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
