How do we know that our mathematics is right? Can we really say with complete certainty that our mathematics is correct? That it is totally flawless and able to explain all the phenomenon of the natural world perfectly? If say a superior race of life forms from the far reaches of the galaxy came to us and demanded that we show them what we know, threatened to enslave us if we refused to show them, and wipe us out completely if our math turned out to be flawed, would the chance be worth taking?
2007-12-22 13:47:38 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Math has become much less flawed and closer to perfection. From a philosophical point of view, not as a mathematician, I would say that the certainty in math approaches zero, but I don't believe we will ever have 100% ccertainty.
2007-12-22 14:06:51 · answer #1 · answered by OldGringo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope, math isn't flawless -- it's just our best approximation for attempting to explain the world around us. It has happened time and time again that some mathematical "truth" has been discovered to be false -- Russell's Paradox being the most glaring example of how something that would seem to be true ends up paradoxical. Who knows what about today's mathematics will be proved wrong in fifty years? All we can do is keep discovering, keep questioning, and never accept what we have as absolute.
2007-12-22 13:51:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anamarie V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kant argued that human being value mathematics because it the ultimate expression of logic. However he argued that it is purely synthetic, a conjuration of the human mind. So if you say 1+1=2 but I say its 3, you would have a very difficult time proving it to me. So if you believe human logic is flawless than yes it is perfect, however if you believe the world is an "illusion" or an altered perception than mathematics would also be an "illusion" and the farthest from flawless.
2007-12-23 16:08:49 · answer #3 · answered by The world is your... Lemur 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think we may still have a long way to go yet, before we can say it is flawless.Math cannot explain all phenomenon perfectly.This is why, when we dont understand things and cannot explain them ,scientifically or mathematically,we call them supernatural phenomena.We also seek the Spiritual and blame the Extraterrestrial when we dont have rational answers.Then we have Miracles to explain others.Mathematically i dont even think we fully understand the prime numbers ,its occurance and whats the largest prime.Although Rhiman tried to explain.Yup still long way to go before maths explains God and spirituality and other variables that exist in this world.
2007-12-22 14:03:33 · answer #4 · answered by Rajan A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually most parts of math are perfect and never change. If 1 + 1 = 2 will always be correct, then we will always have most of math flawless. the only thing i can think of that is flawed is pi which is rounded off in math.
2007-12-22 13:58:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
other beings might or might not have a base 10 counting system. They might have a base 8, or 11, or 300 or whatever, but the chances of it being on a base 10 are highly unlikely.
2007-12-22 13:51:14 · answer #6 · answered by cowboydanimal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Because human brain is not flawless. And majority is not always right.
2007-12-22 18:20:33 · answer #7 · answered by Clipper 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
LOL!!!! You need to relax a little.
go to math.com
2007-12-22 13:55:08 · answer #8 · answered by Rah Rah 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋