Science And Math Was: Python's Lisp heritage

[Grant Edwards]

In article <mailman.1019483442.32389.python-list at python.org>, brueckd at tbye.com wrote:
>
>> > You should understand that this is a philosophical viewpoint. The
> [snip]
>> To put this another way, ask yourself where you stand on this
>> question: is mathematics discovered or invented?

Very well put.

> Is there a difference?

Yes.  Science verifies it's theories by comparing them to the
physical world which they are attempting to describe.  It
doesn't matter how elegant, or internally consistent Science
is.  If it doesn't successfully describe the physical world,
it's wrong.

Science has an external reference point. Mathematics does not.
Internal consistency is the only thing which mathematics can
attempt to verify.  Mathematics is not an attempt to describe
the physical world.

> One could argue that the only difference between discovery and
> invention is the arrogance of the person reporting it.

One could.  But one would be missing the point.

-- 
Grant Edwards                   grante             Yow!  Of course, you
                                  at               UNDERSTAND about the PLAIDS
                               visi.com            in the SPIN CYCLE --