diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'essays/mathematical_studies.tex')
-rw-r--r-- | essays/mathematical_studies.tex | 38 |
1 files changed, 38 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/essays/mathematical_studies.tex b/essays/mathematical_studies.tex new file mode 100644 index 0000000..99256d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/essays/mathematical_studies.tex @@ -0,0 +1,38 @@ +\chapter{1966 Mathematical Studies: Introduction} + +Pure mathematics is the one activity which is intrinsically formalistic. It +is the one activity which brings out the practical value of formal +manipulations. Abstract games fit in perfectly with the tradition and +rationale of pure mathematics; whereas they would not be appropriate in +any other discipline. Pure mathematics is the one activity which can +appropriately develop through innovations of a formalistic character. + +Precisely because pure mathematics does not have to be immediately +practical, there is no intrinsic reason why it should adhere to the normal +concept of logical truth. No harm is done if the mathematician chooses to +play a game which is indeterminate by normal logical standards. All that +matters is that the mathematician clearly specify the rules of his game, and +that he not make claims for his results which are inconsistent with his rules. + +Actually, my pure philosophical writings discredit the concept of +logical truth by showing that there are flaws inherent in all non-trivial +language. Thus, no mathematics has the logical validity which was once +claimed for mathematics. From the ultimate philosophical standpoint, all +mathematics is as "indeterminate" as the mathematics in this monograph. +All the more reason, then, not to limit mathematics to the normal concept +of logical truth. + +Once it is realized that mathematics is intrinsically formalistic, and need +not adhere to the normal concept of logical truth, why hold back from +exploring the possibilities which are available? There is every reason to +search out the possibilities and present them. Such is the purpose of this +monograph. + +The ultimate test of the non-triviality of pure mathematics is whether it +has practical applications. I believe that the approaches presented on a very +abstract level in this monograph will turn out to have such applications. In +order to be applied, the principles which are presented here have to be +developed intensively on a level which is compatible with applications. The +results will be found in my two subsequent essays, \essaytitle{Subjective Propositional +Vibration} and \essaytitle{The Logic of Admissible Contradictions}. + |