Jump to content

Blog post: ajb: Two quotes on the philosophy of mathematics

SFN Blogs
in SFN Blogs

Featured Replies

358365339_5c884a527b_m.jpg

I gave a talk the other day based on our recent work on graded bundles in the category of Lie groupoids. Anyway, as part of the motivation I drew the audiences attention to two quotes...

 

"Mathematics is written for mathematicians." Copernicus

 

"For the things of this world cannot be made known without a knowledge of mathematics." Roger Bacon

 

They show the two different sides of mathematics; mathematics motivated by mathematics and mathematics motivated by applications. I think one should to some extent sit in the middle here, but ultimately it is nice when mathematics has something to to with the real world, even if that connection is somewhat loose.

 

My real motivation for these two specific quotes was that Copernicus was Polish and Bacon English!
Read and comment on the full post

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Configure browser push notifications
Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.