Re: What Is a Mathematician?
- From: junoexpress <MTBrenneman@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 21 Apr 2007 08:06:58 -0700
On Apr 19, 8:25 pm, Jonathan Groves <JGro...@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear Fellow Mathematicians,
I am curious as to your definition of mathematician. Based on what I've heard and read, there doesn't seem to be a universally-based, clear definition of this word (and I suppose there never will be and can never be). Based on my definition, I would consider myself a mathematician since I've done, and still do, research in math and it is my main interest and area of study. Though I don't have a PhD yet, Dr. Evard (my former Master's thesis advisor at Western Kentucky University) considers me one, and so does Dr. Enochs here at the University of Kentucky.
Some would say a PhD is required to be one (and most do have one), but I would say anyone with a degree in math and continues to love math and study it is one as well as those who have that official title (as in a job in the government).
Sincerely yours,
Jonathan Groves
I think your definition that a mathematician is anyone who does math
and loves it, although sounding very warm and fuzzy, is off the mark.
It would be like me telling other people I'm a golfer (because I love
golf and do it a lot).
A mathematician is a person who does original mathematical research.
Although there are some notable exceptions in the last 100 years or so
who have been able to do this without a PhD (such as Ramanujan and the
American mathematician Gleason), these individuals are the exception
rather than the rule. Although it is true that there is no
professional license for being a mathematician, the prelim and
qualifying exams do act as a filter.
Now you can work WITH mathematics, you can APPLY mathematics, which is
very often done in govt jobs, people doing research in the hard
sciences and engineering (which is what I do), but I think to call
these people mathematicians is not really accurate. Most of these
people apply math in the form of model building, statistically
analysis of problems, or performing simulations/writing code. I think
these people would be better off saying that they are mathematical
analysts (or label themselves by the field they apply the math to as
an analyst in that field, like financial analyst, etc). If you think
I'm a bit off, go back to my orig defn, and ask yourself this
question: if these people came across a problem that required the
rigorous (key word here) development of an original mathematical idea,
could they do? If they couldn't, would still call this person a
mathematician?
And of course, you can always call yourself an amateur mathematician,
which is probably better for you if you happen to be at a party where
a person with a PhD in math asks what you do for a living.
J
.
- References:
- What Is a Mathematician?
- From: Jonathan Groves
- What Is a Mathematician?
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