What is it like to understand advanced mathematics?

Re:What is it like to understand advanced mathematics? by KGIII on Saturday August 12, 2017 @02:45PM (#14999287)

The post may not have been clear enough, but the point is that it's impossible to really have negative apples. You can owe apples, but you can't physically possess them. Namely, pointing out how it remains a philosophical pursuit.

As for infinities... I'm not sure if they drove Cantor insane or if he was already insane. Some infinities are bigger than others, and I have strong opinions about infinity.

0.999... = 1

Horrible! ;-)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What is it like to understand advanced mathematics? by BoiledCabbage on Saturday August 12, 2017 @06:14PM (#15000318)

I disagree, I can physically possess 3 apples no more nor less than I can physically possess -3 apples.

To say "I have three apples" is merely a way of modeling a configuration of the world. The apples may be in my pocket, or in my hand, or in a bag I'm holding, or even on my desk in front of me. They may be in the barn out back, but in all cases we can say I have 3 apples. Saying "i have 3 apples" is a simplification of a ton of configurations of the state of the world where I have ownership of apples. Similarly I have -3 apples is a summary of all the configurations of the world where I owe three apples.

Neither is any more real than the other. And yes it is philosophical.

[ Parent | on HN ]