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

To: spunkets
No, that's one statement.

Yes -- but to say that "proofs are only good in math," is to say many other things as well.

Proofs are only good in math.

Ah, yes. I take it you're claiming that (say) logic and math are equivalent disciplines, then? Put another way -- what do you mean by "math," in your statement? Is arithmetic equivalent to algebraic topology in that conception? Or are you perhaps suggesting that precision would offer no useful distinctions?

The subject regarded elements of reality, not math.

And are you really saying that there is no such thing as "physical proof?" For example, it is not "proof" of my claim that a pebble is under a certain cup, to lift up the cup to show the pebble's presence? Of course it is proof.

And are you really saying that math has no connection with reality? Are you really making such a claim?

No one can prove any particular conjured up thing does not exist, anymore than they can prove something does exist.

And thus, the pebble under the cup, even if I see and touch it, has not been "proved" to exist under the cup?

Suppose I state a negative proposition, "there is no pebble under the cup." I can prove that negative proposition, in a "real" situation, by simply lifting the cup to see if there is in fact no pebble there. (And the proposition is obviously falsifiable by the same means.)

Ridiculous!

Hey -- if your comments can't stand up to logical scrutiny, it's a bit of sour grapes to blame the logic, rather than your comment.

197 posted on 04/04/2009 1:19:16 PM PDT by r9etb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 196 | View Replies ]


To: r9etb
"are you really saying that there is no such thing as "physical proof?" For example, it is not "proof" of my claim that a pebble is under a certain cup, to lift up the cup to show the pebble's presence?

Yes. All you have is evidence, not proof. Proof is restricted to math.

"what do you mean by "math," in your statement?"

Math is any logical construction regarding rational relationships of representations. The only reality to math is that it exists only as a mental construct. As such, it is dependent on the physical machinery of mind to exist.

"...are you really saying that math has no connection with reality? Are you really making such a claim?"

Any application of math to reality depends on the existence of evidence that the application is indeed valid.

"thus, the pebble under the cup, even if I see and touch it, has not been "proved" to exist under the cup?"

That's correct. The senses have only determined evidence. The evidence is fact, not proof.

"Suppose I state a negative proposition, "there is no pebble under the cup." I can prove that negative proposition, in a "real" situation, by simply lifting the cup to see if there is in fact no pebble there."

You can only make a true atatement once hte evidence has been uncovered. The true statement can not be made before the cup's lifted.

198 posted on 04/04/2009 2:06:06 PM PDT by spunkets
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 197 | 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