Just thought I'd butt in here. This kind of abstract discussion isn't really my cup of tea, but I think there's a lot of miscommunication here.

Harv: When you say that it is possible that math/logic are just human constructions, are you referring to the purely abstract portions of math (x=4) or are you referring to the equations of physics, etc.? If you're being purely semantic and saying "Well, a derivative has no physical meaning" I can agree, but when you say that math may be a human construct, are you also implicating laws that the universe seem to follow, like e=mc^2 or f-ma?

Alex: Do you think that laws all the way back is mathematically viable? Why can't it be possible to eventually wind up at a fundamental law of stuff?

• re: antirealism - harvey1 - September 11, 2001 - 03:58 UTC
  • Harvey, why so many words just to say "nature obeys math"? - alexander - September 14, 2001 - 23:47 UTC
    • Your system relies on distinction - dolphin - September 15, 2001 - 21:59 UTC
      • Not true. - alexander - September 17, 2001 - 18:28 UTC
        • The scope of math - harvey1 - September 17, 2001 - 21:34 UTC
          • Well, one could make the argument... - stormcrow - September 17, 2001 - 21:59 UTC
            • Everything else follows from math. - alexander - September 17, 2001 - 22:57 UTC
              • Alex and I never seem to agree on anything.... - smartguy - September 18, 2001 - 00:42 UTC
              • Beyond Math - dolphin - September 18, 2001 - 15:28 UTC
                • But this is incomplete..... - smartguy - September 18, 2001 - 18:20 UTC
                  • Sure, we need to study the whole system - dolphin - September 18, 2001 - 23:15 UTC
              • Everything Else follows from Math - petersand - September 18, 2001 - 18:44 UTC
            • We could make that argument, but... - harvey1 - September 18, 2001 - 05:04 UTC
              • Whaaaaa? - smartguy - September 18, 2001 - 19:16 UTC
                • Not what I'm talking about - harvey1 - September 18, 2001 - 20:41 UTC
          • Math is the same in all universes - yanniru - September 18, 2001 - 14:13 UTC
            • Math isn't fully reduced - dolphin - September 18, 2001 - 21:54 UTC
              • Math Isn't Fully reduced - petersand - September 21, 2001 - 20:33 UTC
                • Eyes wide open - dolphin - September 25, 2001 - 10:20 UTC
                  • Eyes Wide Open - petersand - September 27, 2001 - 18:17 UTC
        • misunderstanding - dolphin - September 18, 2001 - 14:08 UTC