Define "real". Also, Although the whole of this life were said to be nothing but a dream and the physical world nothing but a phantasm, I should call this dream or phantasm real enough, if, using reason well, we were never deceived by it. --- Leibniz On 4/2/18 9:42 , Dan Asimov wrote:
If this common discussion subject among mathematicians has come up in math-fun previously, it must have been a while ago:
Is mathematical truth real? I was reminded of this question when I happened to sit next to an esteemed molecular biologist who has strong opinions on the matter: He thinks math is "all in the brain" of humans who think about it. I could not convince him that math has any kind of independent existence — though I certainly believe it myself.
What do other think about this? I would say that mathematical truth is *at least* as real of a thing as physical truth.
—Dan
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