Comment
Are numbers tools invented through trial and success? Are they mental artifacts? They may represent generalized concepts based on an epiphany similar to a religious experience, but their interpretation depends on learned behavior experiences. They remain without substance or reality, imposing constraints on measurements of values perceived as reality which influence behavior. Belief in the functions of mathematics is the same process as belief religious dogma.
The difference is whether or not the believer becomse convinced of the reality of his belief system, or is open to the uncertainty of inadequate information.
posted by Morton Kurzweil
April 19, 2010
About once a month at Sigma Xi headquarters, we liven up the lunch hour with an American Scientist Pizza Lunch talk. In these informal lectures, scientists describe new research to nonscientists. The series is light on jargon but heavy on solid science. Each Pizza Lunch offers an in-depth look at its subject, whether it's bedbugs or the smart grid. Click below to read about and download these talks -- and to subscribe!
JSTOR, the online academic archive, now contains complete back issues of American Scientist from its inception in 1913 (as Sigma Xi Quarterly) through 2005.
The table of contents for each issue is freely available to all users; those with institutional access can read each complete issue.
View the full collection here.