2007-05-01 09:48:02 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I have seen exactly as many numbers as I have unicorns. Which is to say none.
I've seen symbols that represent numbers. But then I've seen various artists' conceptions of unicorns too.
It's possible that a number exists somewhere... perhaps it lives in the same place that perfect lines and circles dwell. And maybe there are unicorns there too.
Until I locate such a place and open up a tourist bureau, I'd have to say that they only exist in fancy. Which isn't to say that they're not real or useful. Just not physically existant.
2007-05-01 10:22:38 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not "physically existant", but definitely existant - just as real as money, war, religion or language. Numbers are socially/culturally constructed. They do not physically exist themselves but they are very handy for describing the physical world.
Recommend "What is Mathematics, Really" by Reuben Hersh
also second the recommendation to read Bertrand Russell
2007-05-01 18:54:23 · answer #2 · answered by ____ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Numbers of things exist. Numbers in and of themselves do not.
2007-05-01 17:02:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
bertrand russell called mathematics a 'logical fiction', so even though they seem to exist because we recognize them as entirely logical, they are fictitious in that no one can really point to "a" number, you can never experience them as anything more than a phenomenon. You should read some epistemology and ontology to better understand what you believe about what exists and what is real.
2007-05-01 17:00:29 · answer #4 · answered by confused 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Numbers are units of measurement,in some way or other.They exist so long as you need to measure or till another better alternative is found.
2007-05-02 07:16:27 · answer #5 · answered by leowin1948 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Numbers is all that exists. All of life is a mathematical equation and without this equation nothing would exist at all.
2007-05-01 16:54:02 · answer #6 · answered by applecheeks 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its the concept behind the numbers that exists
2007-05-01 17:08:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Numbers are crazy little babies - they work in logic, so they exist in reality.
2007-05-01 16:57:02 · answer #8 · answered by Worely 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Numbers are the language of God.
2007-05-01 17:11:22 · answer #9 · answered by The Phat Whale 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are no numbers, not even in your mind, there are only things to count
2007-05-03 03:56:00 · answer #10 · answered by ferment lactique de yahoort 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋