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/sci/ - Science & Math

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9388760 No.9388760 [Reply] [Original]

One of the arguments I thought about why mathematics is construct is the following: If it was natural, then it would exist independent of people. Would it mean the same as saying that a poem exists without poet who wrote it as a simple combination of words in some existing language? So the poem is in abstract existence before poet writes it down, or thinks of it. I fear that in that case, everything human mind can think of already exists and something seems a bit weird about that fact.

Can someone explain this to me?

>> No.9388782

>>9388760
It is a social construct, it is just a way to describe what we observe, hold 2 fingers up on the right hand and 2 on the left hand; 2+2=4. That was true before we used math. The poem analogy is scuffed imo, in a sense it does exist before one writes it down, since everything we do and think is based on past experiences but not like math. I suppose my settings of perception of objective reality are broken. Can someone reset em to default?

>> No.9388794

>>9388782

Can you explain further your last sentence?

>> No.9388800

>>9388794
I was just implying i have autism or that my way of thinking isnt normal either in a positive or negative way.

>> No.9388807

Mathematics is a language, a language can describe reality or fiction.

>> No.9388813

>>9388800
I dont like the fact that everything pre exists and nothing can be invented, so I will go back to my other arguments. Thank you anon

>> No.9388814

>>9388760
mathematics is not a social construct

it is true regardless of the solar system you live in, the notation and formatting of the mathematics we use may not be universal but the ideas behind them are

>> No.9388817

>>9388814
Are scientific facts social constructs? And what is the difference between a fact and the way you obtain it? And that raises a philosophical debate on epistemology; what can be known?

>> No.9388818

>>9388814
Our motivation for putting mathematics togather was physical world and not the other way around. This is the reason why would it work anywhere. But the axioms of foundation are constructed. And yes they are universal, but that doesnt make them natural.

>> No.9388825

>>9388782
>It is a social construct,
Math was constructed yes, but it is not a social construct. Society had no input in its creation. Maybe numbers, but that's definitely as far as it goes.

>> No.9388828

>>9388825
a social mechanism, phenomenon, or category created and developed by society; a perception of an individual, group, or idea that is 'constructed' through cultural or social practice

>> No.9388834

>>9388825
I dont think natural numbers are constructed, even more socially constructed. They exist as level of comparison in our minds and they are part of intuition. 3 cows are more than 5 cows. (addition and subtraction is construction on the other hand).

>> No.9388841

OP here. Can I hear your opinions on whether everything that our mind can think of already exists or is it a mather of opinion?

>> No.9388854

>>9388841
Imagine something that has no relation with anything you have ever seen. Impossible, everything you think of is based on past events and knowledge. That is without going into philosophy ofc.

>> No.9388867

>>9388854
I see your point t. But just because i think of set of numbers when i think of general set, doesnt mean SET exists, right?

>> No.9388917

>>9388867

Sets are humans trying to separate the infinite into finite categories (which is impossible).