So i was thinking that thought is not seperable from sensory experience. In order to think, you must have something to think about. Now that's all dandy until i thought of math and science. We don't see numbers, we don't see exponential functions, etc... We come up with that, induction and deduction. So where do YOU think it comes from? Are we programmed with a sense of math and science? Or... what other reasons can you think of?
2006-10-29 04:30:24 · 10 answers · asked by falzalnz 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
*sense...
I just noticed the typo.
2006-10-29 07:56:05 · update #1
Math and science are based on logic; logic is reasoning; and we all have that!
2006-10-29 16:13:36 · answer #1 · answered by Ragdoll 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Math is all tautology, most of it represents reality quite well. Some doesn't. Math comes from the theoretical power of geometric proofs, from priests who sought beauty and harmony in nature. Pythagoras had a whole way of life. Euclid axiomatized the work. Math has always been the standard for truth. But numbers don't have to be real entities. Though theories may require we think of numbers positively, at least as abstract entities, it's debatable.
2006-10-29 13:36:22 · answer #2 · answered by -.- 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Math sense answers a fundamental need of humanity to trade or barter-- in order to exchange a value one has a surplus of for a value one needs, there must be counting, with the attendant requirement for addition, subtraction, etc.
Also: In warfare math skills are required to be able to predict the outcome of conflict-- one can't SEE the number of forces the enemy has, but must calculate whether a conflict can be won by processing intelligence via mathematics.
Even though you are correct that math is an abstraction, your question does not take basic human nature into account; man is a social animal and needs to be able to quantify and sort things in order to be successful in life.
I hope this is helpful!
2006-10-29 12:39:03 · answer #3 · answered by Scarlett_156 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In many ways mathematics seems to be one of the languages of nature, e.g., witness the frequent occurrence of Fibonacci numbers in nature. The binary system of numbers also seems to be built into the very essence of things at a very basic level beyond our current understanding. It is not just computers that converse in binary language. Anyway, since we are all a part of that nature, it goes almost without saying that mathematics is built into us as well. Mathematicians themselves have gone so far as to have expressed the view that God is in some way responsible for the rational order described so successfully by mathematics.
2006-10-29 13:47:56 · answer #4 · answered by Seeker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our math sense comes from two things communication and technology. Communications in giving numbers of things. Technology in the ability to grasp the concept of spatial relationships required to make tools. When the two intersected math and science was born. It took many centuries for us to grasp that numbers defined our world through math.
2006-10-29 19:15:03 · answer #5 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Geometry. I think it comes from the idea of forms and their contremplation. Just because you can recognize forms in tangible things doesn't necessarily mean that forms do not exist without substance.
2006-10-29 13:05:01 · answer #6 · answered by LORD Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
from Egypt
our numbers came from Egypt
I used to teach at the AUD
lived in Zamalek
2006-10-29 12:39:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The soul?
2006-10-29 12:45:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do words....not math. *hangs head in shame*
2006-10-29 17:58:48 · answer #9 · answered by Marianne not Ginger™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sometimes common sense can be complicated
2006-10-29 13:24:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋