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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: goldworldnet who wrote (325567)	12/4/2002 6:01:25 AM
From: SeachRE	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 769670

I agree about JP's Irrational numbers. The main point, however, is that Math is NOT a science, and that "as a whole" Math is exact. Exceptional "inexactness" does not make it a science either. Science requires the observation of a phenomenon, deductive analysis of occurrence, and experimentation to reproduce the same event, in a nutshell.Math is a tool created by man. In fact, it is a ghost with no mass or energy per se(Pirsig). IMO, JP's religious diatribes suggest he oughta call his shrink ASAP as there may be a "number of Irrational" screws in his head in need of a tune-up. He used to be a good poster though.<g>

To: goldworldnet who wrote (325567)	12/4/2002 11:48:33 AM
From: Bald Eagle	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 769670

What happened to Johannes? Banned? How about Baldur? Thread isn't as funny without Baldur, though CyberKen and Tommy Watson are amusing :-)

To: goldworldnet who wrote (325567)	12/6/2002 12:44:08 AM
From: Neocon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

Mathematics is essentially a form of abstraction, focusing on the attributes of spatiality (although temporality can be included), primarily position, dimension, and shape. We quantify objects by being able to count their differing positions in space, even if they are otherwise the same. We measure by defining a dimensive unit, and counting how many are in a particular object (linear, planar, or cubic). The ability to "mathematicize" experience is undoubtedly inborn, but there is a real empirical element insofar as we abstract from experience. It has elements of conjecture, as, for example, in the postulates, as well as elements of "self- evidency", that is, things that should be apparent to all with the ability to reason. But it is not really a matter of faith, insofar as the reasoning is rigorous, and time and again the applicability to real situations has been demonstrated. The existence of things like irrational numbers has been a conundrum to philosophers since at least Pythagoras. If we assume that the universe is supposed to be completely rationalizable, then it is an offense that such things exist, and must reflect badly either on the material universe or on human reason. I think a sounder view is that such things reveal mysteries deep in the heart of the universe, and show that abstraction from Being is just that, only an abstraction, a model of greater or lesser accuracy, but not encompassing the fullness of Reality........