Mathematics Feels Real, but is Paradoxical
On foundations we believe in the reality of mathematics, but of course, when philosophers attack us with their paradoxes, we rush to hide behind formalism and say 'mathematics is just a combination of meaningless symbols,'... Finally we are left in peace to go back to our mathematics and do it as we have always done, with the feeling each mathematician has that he is working with something real. The sensation is probably an illusion, but it is very convenient.
Jean Dieudonné, The Work of Nicholas Bourbaki (1970)
Notes
Real to the mathematician, paradoxical to the philosopher.
References
- The Work of Nicholas Bourbaki Journal Article
Schemas
Not in any schema.
Triples
Not related to other memes yet.
Watson’s reading
Tags generated by IBM Watson from the text. Percentages are its confidence.
Categories
- science mathematics 84%
- hobbies and interests magic and illusion 45%
- society sex 21%
Concepts
Keywords
Mathematics Feels Real, Paradoxical Real, meaningless symbols, mathematician, formalism, paradoxes, sensation, feeling, philosophers, illusion, philosopher, foundations