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Roger Penrose – Is Mathematics Invented or Discovered? [video]

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Re: Roger Penrose – Is Mathematics Invented or Discovered? [video]

#321

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"predictability" is only a function of your memory capacity and/or knowledge. To a scientist/saint who has done a lifetime of study/penance on the past, present and future, every invention is predictable. To a goldfish with 5-second memory, every sunrise, why every breath, is a discovery. Look at it another way. A scientist 'discovers' the atom. He didn't 'invent' it, right? Now, how did he discover it ? Using a micr…

I wonder if there are languages where this question doesn't make much sense, because, say, both invention and discovery translate to the same word just meaning "creation".

No need to wonder. English is that language.

Tomorrow I can come up with a new word called 'oogabookga' which means invention/discovery/creation, and then make enough people accept it so it makes it into the dictionary, and then 20 years later, 2 other folks like us will argue about the semantics between oogabookga and invention and discovery.

That's exactly what happened with invention/discovery 20 (or 200) years ago, and we are those 2 people now.

Re: Roger Penrose – Is Mathematics Invented or Discovered? [video]

#322

This is a silly semantics game and a boring one at that. the presumption that the words are contradictory, or that mathematics is a monolithic entity that plays a single role of invention or discovery, is a poor way of exploring the social and cultural (co)evolution of mathematics and methodical experimentation and observation.

You can't just say this to people who keep asking this question, and have been for ages.

Why not? It’s not like they have any obligation to respond, and someone needs to point out the bullshit smell wafting through the room.
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