Re:'Proof' Review: Finding Truth in Numbers
by eru on Tuesday June 10, 2025 @09:01PM
(#44243209)
Agreed.
> Furthermore, even if "X OR NOT X" is true (regardless of what X is, as long as it is well-formed), that does not mean that either "X" must be true or "NOT X" must be true.
Independent of manipulating meaningless symbols, there's a whole branch of math called 'constructivism' where people try to find proofs without the 'law of the excluded middle'. Ideology / philosophy aside, the methods developed for this curiously handicapped game are of practical interest in computer science.
> Furthermore, even if "X OR NOT X" is true (regardless of what X is, as long as it is well-formed), that does not mean that either "X" must be true or "NOT X" must be true.
Independent of manipulating meaningless symbols, there's a whole branch of math called 'constructivism' where people try to find proofs without the 'law of the excluded middle'. Ideology / philosophy aside, the methods developed for this curiously handicapped game are of practical interest in computer science.