Re: The difference between a 'chair' concept and a 'mathematical concept' ;)

From: 1Z <peterdjones.domain.name.hidden>
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 14:33:16 -0700

marc.geddes.domain.name.hidden wrote:

> Mathematical concepts are quite different. The key difference is that
> we *cannot* in fact dispense with mathematical descriptions and replace
> them with something else. We cannot *eliminate* mathematical concepts
> from our theories like we can with say 'chair' concepts. And this is
> the argument for regarding mathematical concepts as existing 'out
> there' and not just in our heads.


Actually, it's an arguement against doing so. If mathematical
terms referred to particular things, they would not be universally
applicable.
They are universally applicable because they don't refer to anything.


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Received on Tue Sep 12 2006 - 17:34:13 PDT

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