Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: onedoug
"Ah, mathematics: invention or discovery?"

I love this question!

I think math is an invention. I believe this because our math is very "imprecise". For example, the number (or value) psi is 3.14.........

It goes on forever. If our math system was accurate there should be a true, finite, value for the length of a circumference. After all, the circumference exists in merely 2 dimensions, but the best we can do is an approximation.

Likewise, the imaginary number i. This number contradicts fundmental real number characteristics, but is necessary to cover an embarrassing inconsistency, ie the square root of a negative number. It's duct tape applied to a leaky exhaust pipe.

And don't get me started on logrthyms, or natural "e". These numbers, although they work (roughly), bear no resemblance to the elegance manifest in every facet of the natural universe.

I believe this is the reason why no human manufacture will ever be perfect in the way a simple blade of grass is perfect. I also believe that language is another invention that likewise prevents us from approaching perfection.

Perfection will only ever be found in God.

64 posted on 01/07/2002 10:10:08 AM PST by Pietro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies ]


To: Pietro
""...in the way a simple blade of grass is perfect.

Though is it? The more deeply we look, the more uncertain things become. The electron orbital position of a constituent proton is precluded by information on its momentum.

So the universe is fundamentally uncertain, though we've yet derived a pretty accurate representational way of describing it.

A hand, or pneumatic hammer may not ultimitely be the best way to drive a nail. But they work.

69 posted on 01/07/2002 10:30:47 AM PST by onedoug
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies ]

To: Pietro
It appears that, like many other things, you haven't studied mathematics. Indeed...

The vast conspiracy of ignorance masquerades as common sense.

78 posted on 01/07/2002 11:40:17 AM PST by dhuffman@awod.com
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies ]

To: Pietro
Perfection will only ever be found in God.

Just for fun, on what document, quote, theory do you rest the idea that God is perfect?

And if God is/was perfect, why would there be the need for anything else? (What motivated God? A lacking? A desire?) It would seem reasonable to assume that ALL (God) was not perfect until he "let there be light" etc.

In which case, I've got some funny hunches about the perfection (God) the universe(s) are completing....

Basically, God is (re)creating himself through reality, like a smoke-ring twisting around itself as it moves into the future.

Maybe "reality" is the only way God can "travel".

109 posted on 01/07/2002 1:09:51 PM PST by mindprism.com
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies ]

To: Pietro
Perfection will only ever be found in God.

Just for fun, on what document, quote, theory do you rest the idea that God is perfect?

And if God is/was perfect, why would there be the need for anything else? (What motivated God? A lacking? A desire?) It would seem reasonable to assume that ALL (God) was not perfect until he "let there be light" etc.

In which case, I've got some funny hunches about the perfection (God) the universe(s) are completing....

Basically, God is (re)creating himself through reality, like a smoke-ring twisting around itself as it moves into the future.

Maybe "reality" is the only way God can "travel".

110 posted on 01/07/2002 1:11:14 PM PST by mindprism.com
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson