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CSflim · 06-24-2003, 01:32 PM

I think what many of you are mixing up are the concepts and the sematics (or the notation)

Take for insatnce the value of Pi.

We take pi = 3.14159....

This is purely notational, the mere idea that the value of pi changes when you write it in a different base is ludicrous!

In a similar way, we represent '3' in speech by saying three, the french on the other hand say trois. Does this fact mean that we are in some way refering to a different value? Of course not!

Similarly I would claim that mathematics is absolute. Mathematics is based on axioms, but these axioms are not relative to anything else. they simply are.

I really hate this new fad of the sociologist claim of scientific relativism. I would point you to the excellent eassy of Martin Gardner entitled Alan Sokal's Hilarious Hoax, collected in his book, Did Adam and Eve have Navels? In fact, I would reccomend ALL of the essays in this book. It is a masterpiece of "debunkery" in all areas of pseudoscience and other assorted nonscence.

06-24-2003, 01:32 PM	#18 (permalink)
CSflim Sky Piercer Location: Ireland	I think what many of you are mixing up are the concepts and the sematics (or the notation) Take for insatnce the value of Pi. We take pi = 3.14159.... This is purely notational, the mere idea that the value of pi changes when you write it in a different base is ludicrous! In a similar way, we represent '3' in speech by saying three, the french on the other hand say trois. Does this fact mean that we are in some way refering to a different value? Of course not! Similarly I would claim that mathematics is absolute. Mathematics is based on axioms, but these axioms are not relative to anything else. they simply are. I really hate this new fad of the sociologist claim of scientific relativism. I would point you to the excellent eassy of Martin Gardner entitled Alan Sokal's Hilarious Hoax, collected in his book, Did Adam and Eve have Navels? In fact, I would reccomend ALL of the essays in this book. It is a masterpiece of "debunkery" in all areas of pseudoscience and other assorted nonscence. __________________ Last edited by CSflim; 06-24-2003 at 01:39 PM..