Science Forums 2

[CraigD]

Originally Posted by Racoon

Math is a truth like other truths.
It is.
Like the Laws of Physics. …

There is a critical difference between Math and Physics. Math is equally good at describing physical reality – truth, if you will – and systems not corresponding to physical reality – fantasy, if you will. The Law of Physics must correspond to our best understanding of reality.

The idea that even mathematical ideas explicitly not describing physical reality have a real, objective existence – that they are discovered, not created – is the philosophical school of thought known as Platonic idealism, Greek or Aristotelian formalism, and several other equivalent terms. According to this school, the whole of Physics is less real than the collection of ideas, and all mathematical theorems in all formal systems already exist in the supra-real realm of the Forms.

As Philosophy “seldom affirms, never denies, always distinguishes”, it’s inappropriate to attempt to decide if idealism, or materialism (the position I was expressing in post #86). IMHO, materialism has fewer problems, and is more practically useful and emotionally satisfying than idealism, in much the same way that academic Math and Science is more satisfying than academic Philosophy.