Science And Math Was: Python's Lisp heritage

[Andy Gimblett]

On Mon, Apr 22, 2002 at 12:57:38PM +0100, Gon?alo Rodrigues wrote:

> You should understand that this is a philosophical viewpoint. The
> mathematical field is roughly divided in the Platonist field, those who
> believe that mathematical objects exist somewhere out there in space (to
> quote Sun Ra) in a Wonderful World of Platonic Ideas, and the formalist
> field of those who believe mathematics is essentialy a game we play on
> paper with symbols with no "real" meaning attached to it besides the
> convenience in describing natural phenomena.

To put this another way, ask yourself where you stand on this
question: is mathematics discovered or invented?

-Andy

-- 
Andy Gimblett - Programmer - Frontier Internet Services Limited
Tel: 029 20 820 044 Fax: 029 20 820 035 http://www.frontier.net.uk/
Statements made are at all times subject to Frontier's Terms and
Conditions of Business, which are available upon request.