Community > Science & Philosophy

Topic: Math is real.
Spidercmb Joined Fri 04/27/07 Posts: 13137	Fri 06/22/12 06:11 AM
Is math the only true reality? Mathematical physicist John Polkinghorne (1998) writes, "Science and theology lie at the opposite ends of a spectrum of rational human inquiry into reality. At the scientific end is the realm of the impersonal experience; at the theological end is the realm of experience of the transpersonal. In between lie the realms of human personal encounter with reality, which are the subjects of disciplines such as aesthetics and ethics. The whole spectrum of enquiry makes up the rich many-stranded texture of human knowledge, surveying the encounter with the multi-leveled reality of the one world of human experience."(p. 128) Polkinghorne, J. (1998). Science & theology. Minneapolis: SPCK Fortress Press. So? That doesn't refute the idea that mathematics is a necessary entity. I have to wonder if you even understand the concepts being discussed. Mathematics being a necessary entity has nothing to do with religion. Even if God doesn't exist, mathematics is still a necessary entity. Any discussion of necessary entities will end up including God, maybe that is what is confusing you.

Jeanniebean Joined Wed 01/30/08 Posts: 40028	Fri 06/22/12 11:55 AM
Is math the only true reality? How could math exist without there being someone who can do math? If there are four coconuts on a beach and no humans are around, are there still four coconuts on the beach? Clearly, yes. Mathematics are not contingent upon humans being around. The number of coconuts would be a moot point without an observer. However if five monkeys came by and one of them didn't get a coconut a ruckess might break out.

mightymoe Joined Sun 11/19/06 Posts: 37362	Fri 06/22/12 12:23 PM
math, like most everything else, is as good as the people using it. while the numbers don't lie, they can be misleading. if the person doing the math doesn't comprehend what they're using the math for, then it won't be right. it can also be used to mislead people on purpose. say, for example, if a candy store did a poll and says 99% of the people polled like jelly beans, that only means the people that like candy are being polled. if they did the same poll at a health food market, the percentage would/could be a lot lower.

Dodo_David Joined Fri 08/13/10 Posts: 48926	Fri 06/22/12 03:15 PM
Is math the only true reality? Mathematical physicist John Polkinghorne (1998) writes, "Science and theology lie at the opposite ends of a spectrum of rational human inquiry into reality. At the scientific end is the realm of the impersonal experience; at the theological end is the realm of experience of the transpersonal. In between lie the realms of human personal encounter with reality, which are the subjects of disciplines such as aesthetics and ethics. The whole spectrum of enquiry makes up the rich many-stranded texture of human knowledge, surveying the encounter with the multi-leveled reality of the one world of human experience."(p. 128) Polkinghorne, J. (1998). Science & theology. Minneapolis: SPCK Fortress Press. So? That doesn't refute the idea that mathematics is a necessary entity. I have to wonder if you even understand the concepts being discussed. Mathematics being a necessary entity has nothing to do with religion. Even if God doesn't exist, mathematics is still a necessary entity. Any discussion of necessary entities will end up including God, maybe that is what is confusing you. The question asked isn't "Is mathematics a necessary entity?" The question asked is "Is math the only true reality?" I answered the question by citing a mathematical physicist, someone who depends on the use of mathematics in his scientific work.

Jeanniebean Joined Wed 01/30/08 Posts: 40028	Fri 06/22/12 05:16 PM
The question asked is "Is math the only true reality?" The answer is "no."

s1owhand Joined Fri 05/18/07 Posts: 29437	Fri 06/22/12 06:37 PM
This Klondike bar with the delicious crunchy heath bar type outside and delectable vanilla creamy inside is as real as it gets baby!

heavenlyboy34 Joined Fri 07/04/08 Posts: 17348	Sat 06/23/12 03:53 PM
Mathematics are just theoretical methods for describing reality. If you write 1 on a chalkboard, in reality it's just an arrangement of chalk dust. It's only when we associate a definite quantity to numbers that they have concrete meaning.

creativesoul Joined Mon 04/16/07 Posts: 9166	Mon 06/25/12 09:40 PM
Necessity and contingency are modality terms. Contrary to what has been claimed thus far, in philosophy there is more than one use/meaning. Regarding math being real... That depends entirely upon what you mean by "real". I sort of agree with heavenlyboy in a way. You show me a number, and I'll show you a person counting. Quantities are real, numbers are nothing more than names for quantities.

Bushidobillyclub Joined Fri 05/11/07 Posts: 5689	Sat 06/30/12 09:05 AM Edited by Bushidobillyclub on Sat 06/30/12 09:08 AM
Math is not real in the sense that you break open an atom and find equations. Math is used representationally. Far more than the universe can be represented mathematically and for that reason it is easy to see that math is not real in the sense that you or I are real. Relationships exist in nature. The fact that relationships exist in nature makes math useful for expressing those relationships.

creativesoul Joined Mon 04/16/07 Posts: 9166	Thu 07/19/12 08:53 PM
There is no denying the representational and practical value... I agree.