Dear Stephen,
Given that, were it not for Plato the question you ask me would
not make sense and could not probably be formulated, I should
not have to answer it.
If that is what you driving at: Mathematical Realism or Platonism is
not a religion, but a conviction which most working mathematician
have been reasonably led to in their practice. As for physicists it is
a prejudice that most share but few find a need to confess. My only
distinction is that I am quite shameless about it...
-Joao
Stephen Paul King wrote:
> Dear Joao,
>
> Is this the statement of a person that bases their belief in faith or
> reason?
>
> Sincerly,
>
> Stephen
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joao Leao" <jleao.domain.name.hidden>
> To: "Lennart Nilsson" <leonard.nilsson.domain.name.hidden>
> Cc: "Everything List" <everything-list.domain.name.hidden>
> Sent: Monday, June 16, 2003 11:18 AM
> Subject: Re: Fw: Something for Platonists
>
> > Speaking as a devout Platonist I see nothing much to contemplate
> > in Deutsch's statement! Whether the Universe is computable, as
> > he states without argument, or the computable subrealm of the
> > mathematical world coincides with the physical, which he
> > believes for unstated reasons, is of no concern to me or any
> > self-respecting Platonist. The Realm of Forms is entirely
> > separate from the physical universe which is nothing but
> > an inept and corrupt model of it. Our physical theories,
> > and Deutsh's speculations are even crappier versions of
> > that model which capture nothing but mere glimpses of
> > the Platonic World and thus are destined to be surpassed.
> >
> > Computation may be indeed a fairly acceptable measure
> > of our ineptitude to see into Platonia: that is a plausible
> > hypothesis. But the fact that we know of the realm of
> > the uncomputable and that we can access its truths
> > irrespective of our finite computational capabilities
> > is an entirely more profound statement than any of
> > Deutsch dubious speculations...
> >
> > -Joao Leao
--
Joao Pedro Leao ::: jleao.domain.name.hidden
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
1815 Massachussetts Av. , Cambridge MA 02140
Work Phone: (617)-496-7990 extension 124
VoIP Phone: (617)=384-6679
Cell-Phone: (617)-817-1800
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"All generalizations are abusive (specially this one!)"
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Received on Mon Jun 16 2003 - 12:37:39 PDT