Document (#23801)

Author
Gardner, M.
Title
Is mathematics "out there"?
Source
Mathematical intelligencer. 23(2001) no.1, S.7-8
Year
2001
Abstract
With very few exceptions mathematicians have always believed, and still believe, that mathematical truths have a strange kind of abstract reality that is discovered, not created. In recent years a tiny minority of maverick mathematicians have joined the postmodern ranks of the social constructivists who see both math and science as cultural artifacts, unrelated to any sort, of timeless truth domain. Reuben Hersh, a distinguished mathematician, has long defended this antirealist view, notably in his 1997 book What is Mathematics, Really? If all Hersh means is that mathematics is part of human culture, then of course he is iight, but the statement is vacuous. Everything humans say and do is part of culture. Hersh obviously means something less trivial. He is convinced that mathematicians do not discover timeless theorems-theorems true in all possible worlds. Rather they create ever-changing, uncertain conjectures in much the same way that others create art, music, religion, wars, and traffic regulations. In an article in Eureka (March 1988), he discusses several "myths" which he claims have been mistakenly defended by great mathematicians
Footnote
Vgl. auch den Beitrag von Hersh, R.: Reply to Martin Gardner in: Mathematical intelligencer 23(2001) no.2, S. 3-5.
Field
Mathematik

Similar documents (author)

  1. Gardner, R.; Gardner, E.: Indexing The Canadian Encyclopedia second edition (1988) 6.40
    6.404853 = sum of:
      6.404853 = weight(author_txt:gardner in 652) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        6.404853 = fieldWeight in 652, product of:
          1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
            2.0 = termFreq=2.0
          9.05783 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44218)
          0.5 = fieldNorm(doc=652)
    
  2. Gardner, R.J.: ¬The ten commandments for library customers (1975) 5.66
    5.661144 = sum of:
      5.661144 = weight(author_txt:gardner in 1216) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        5.661144 = fieldWeight in 1216, product of:
          1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
            1.0 = termFreq=1.0
          9.05783 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44218)
          0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=1216)
    
  3. Gardner, M.: ¬Ein Vierteljahrhundert Unterhaltungsmathematik (1998) 5.66
    5.661144 = sum of:
      5.661144 = weight(author_txt:gardner in 3331) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        5.661144 = fieldWeight in 3331, product of:
          1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
            1.0 = termFreq=1.0
          9.05783 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44218)
          0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=3331)
    
  4. Gardner, S.: ¬A descriptive study of statewide bibliographic database. (1994) 5.66
    5.661144 = sum of:
      5.661144 = weight(author_txt:gardner in 630) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        5.661144 = fieldWeight in 630, product of:
          1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
            1.0 = termFreq=1.0
          9.05783 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44218)
          0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=630)
    
  5. Gardner, M.: Faszinierende Mosaike (1979) 5.66
    5.661144 = sum of:
      5.661144 = weight(author_txt:gardner in 4230) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        5.661144 = fieldWeight in 4230, product of:
          1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
            1.0 = termFreq=1.0
          9.05783 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44218)
          0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=4230)
    

Similar documents (content)

  1. Borwein, J.; Stanway, T.: Knowledge and community in mathematics (2005) 0.22
    0.22362602 = sum of:
      0.22362602 = product of:
        0.79866433 = sum of:
          0.12780036 = weight(abstract_txt:postmodern in 3662) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.12780036 = score(doc=3662,freq=5.0), product of:
              0.14448595 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.0401094 = boost
                8.43879 = idf(docFreq=25, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.8845176 = fieldWeight in 3662, product of:
                2.236068 = tf(freq=5.0), with freq of:
                  5.0 = termFreq=5.0
                8.43879 = idf(docFreq=25, maxDocs=44218)
                0.046875 = fieldNorm(doc=3662)
          0.10815066 = weight(abstract_txt:mathematician in 3662) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.10815066 = score(doc=3662,freq=2.0), product of:
              0.1754434 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.1461322 = boost
                9.298992 = idf(docFreq=10, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.6164419 = fieldWeight in 3662, product of:
                1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                  2.0 = termFreq=2.0
                9.298992 = idf(docFreq=10, maxDocs=44218)
                0.046875 = fieldNorm(doc=3662)
          0.023987874 = weight(abstract_txt:means in 3662) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.023987874 = score(doc=3662,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.10204664 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.2361767 = boost
                5.0147786 = idf(docFreq=797, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.23506775 = fieldWeight in 3662, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                5.0147786 = idf(docFreq=797, maxDocs=44218)
                0.046875 = fieldNorm(doc=3662)
          0.017892785 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 3662) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.017892785 = score(doc=3662,freq=8.0), product of:
              0.056956004 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.460229 = boost
                2.3694751 = idf(docFreq=11241, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.314151 = fieldWeight in 3662, product of:
                2.828427 = tf(freq=8.0), with freq of:
                  8.0 = termFreq=8.0
                2.3694751 = idf(docFreq=11241, maxDocs=44218)
                0.046875 = fieldNorm(doc=3662)
          0.0125195505 = weight(abstract_txt:have in 3662) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.0125195505 = score(doc=3662,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.08334381 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.579912 = boost
                3.2046018 = idf(docFreq=4876, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.15021572 = fieldWeight in 3662, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                3.2046018 = idf(docFreq=4876, maxDocs=44218)
                0.046875 = fieldNorm(doc=3662)
          0.20828411 = weight(abstract_txt:mathematics in 3662) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.20828411 = score(doc=3662,freq=6.0), product of:
              0.27157408 = queryWeight, product of:
                2.4698524 = boost
                6.6796074 = idf(docFreq=150, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.7669514 = fieldWeight in 3662, product of:
                2.4494898 = tf(freq=6.0), with freq of:
                  6.0 = termFreq=6.0
                6.6796074 = idf(docFreq=150, maxDocs=44218)
                0.046875 = fieldNorm(doc=3662)
          0.300029 = weight(abstract_txt:mathematicians in 3662) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.300029 = score(doc=3662,freq=2.0), product of:
              0.5498527 = queryWeight, product of:
                4.0580688 = boost
                8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.5456534 = fieldWeight in 3662, product of:
                1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                  2.0 = termFreq=2.0
                8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
                0.046875 = fieldNorm(doc=3662)
        0.28 = coord(7/25)
    
  2. Balaguer, M.: ¬A guide for the perplexed : what mathematicians need to know to understand philosophers of mathematics (2014) 0.15
    0.14516294 = sum of:
      0.14516294 = product of:
        1.2096912 = sum of:
          0.01686948 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 3661) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.01686948 = score(doc=3661,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.056956004 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.460229 = boost
                2.3694751 = idf(docFreq=11241, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.2961844 = fieldWeight in 3661, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                2.3694751 = idf(docFreq=11241, maxDocs=44218)
                0.125 = fieldNorm(doc=3661)
          0.39274427 = weight(abstract_txt:mathematics in 3661) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.39274427 = score(doc=3661,freq=3.0), product of:
              0.27157408 = queryWeight, product of:
                2.4698524 = boost
                6.6796074 = idf(docFreq=150, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              1.4461774 = fieldWeight in 3661, product of:
                1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                  3.0 = termFreq=3.0
                6.6796074 = idf(docFreq=150, maxDocs=44218)
                0.125 = fieldNorm(doc=3661)
          0.8000774 = weight(abstract_txt:mathematicians in 3661) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.8000774 = score(doc=3661,freq=2.0), product of:
              0.5498527 = queryWeight, product of:
                4.0580688 = boost
                8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              1.4550757 = fieldWeight in 3661, product of:
                1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                  2.0 = termFreq=2.0
                8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
                0.125 = fieldNorm(doc=3661)
        0.12 = coord(3/25)
    
  3. Korevaar, J.C.; Moed, H.F.: Validation of bibliometric indicators in the field of mathematics (1996) 0.14
    0.1420451 = sum of:
      0.1420451 = product of:
        0.88778186 = sum of:
          0.17347716 = weight(abstract_txt:convinced in 6692) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.17347716 = score(doc=6692,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.17217545 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.1354077 = boost
                9.211981 = idf(docFreq=11, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              1.0075604 = fieldWeight in 6692, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                9.211981 = idf(docFreq=11, maxDocs=44218)
                0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=6692)
          0.020874916 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 6692) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.020874916 = score(doc=6692,freq=2.0), product of:
              0.056956004 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.460229 = boost
                2.3694751 = idf(docFreq=11241, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.36650947 = fieldWeight in 6692, product of:
                1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                  2.0 = termFreq=2.0
                2.3694751 = idf(docFreq=11241, maxDocs=44218)
                0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=6692)
          0.19840714 = weight(abstract_txt:mathematics in 6692) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.19840714 = score(doc=6692,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.27157408 = queryWeight, product of:
                2.4698524 = boost
                6.6796074 = idf(docFreq=150, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.73058206 = fieldWeight in 6692, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                6.6796074 = idf(docFreq=150, maxDocs=44218)
                0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=6692)
          0.49502262 = weight(abstract_txt:mathematicians in 6692) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.49502262 = score(doc=6692,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.5498527 = queryWeight, product of:
                4.0580688 = boost
                8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.9002822 = fieldWeight in 6692, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
                0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=6692)
        0.16 = coord(4/25)
    
  4. Velleman, D.J.: Fermat's last theorem and Hilbert's program (1997) 0.14
    0.14200272 = sum of:
      0.14200272 = product of:
        0.887517 = sum of:
          0.021914095 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 6443) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.021914095 = score(doc=6443,freq=3.0), product of:
              0.056956004 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.460229 = boost
                2.3694751 = idf(docFreq=11241, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.38475478 = fieldWeight in 6443, product of:
                1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                  3.0 = termFreq=3.0
                2.3694751 = idf(docFreq=11241, maxDocs=44218)
                0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=6443)
          0.025039101 = weight(abstract_txt:have in 6443) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.025039101 = score(doc=6443,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.08334381 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.579912 = boost
                3.2046018 = idf(docFreq=4876, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.30043143 = fieldWeight in 6443, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                3.2046018 = idf(docFreq=4876, maxDocs=44218)
                0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=6443)
          0.24050577 = weight(abstract_txt:mathematics in 6443) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.24050577 = score(doc=6443,freq=2.0), product of:
              0.27157408 = queryWeight, product of:
                2.4698524 = boost
                6.6796074 = idf(docFreq=150, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.88559914 = fieldWeight in 6443, product of:
                1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                  2.0 = termFreq=2.0
                6.6796074 = idf(docFreq=150, maxDocs=44218)
                0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=6443)
          0.600058 = weight(abstract_txt:mathematicians in 6443) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.600058 = score(doc=6443,freq=2.0), product of:
              0.5498527 = queryWeight, product of:
                4.0580688 = boost
                8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              1.0913068 = fieldWeight in 6443, product of:
                1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                  2.0 = termFreq=2.0
                8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
                0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=6443)
        0.16 = coord(4/25)
    
  5. Grunwald, E.: Evolution and design inside and outside mathematics (2005) 0.14
    0.13621736 = sum of:
      0.13621736 = product of:
        0.6810868 = sum of:
          0.03198383 = weight(abstract_txt:means in 469) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.03198383 = score(doc=469,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.10204664 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.2361767 = boost
                5.0147786 = idf(docFreq=797, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.31342366 = fieldWeight in 469, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                5.0147786 = idf(docFreq=797, maxDocs=44218)
                0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=469)
          0.01686948 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 469) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.01686948 = score(doc=469,freq=4.0), product of:
              0.056956004 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.460229 = boost
                2.3694751 = idf(docFreq=11241, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.2961844 = fieldWeight in 469, product of:
                2.0 = tf(freq=4.0), with freq of:
                  4.0 = termFreq=4.0
                2.3694751 = idf(docFreq=11241, maxDocs=44218)
                0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=469)
          0.02891266 = weight(abstract_txt:have in 469) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.02891266 = score(doc=469,freq=3.0), product of:
              0.08334381 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.579912 = boost
                3.2046018 = idf(docFreq=4876, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.3469083 = fieldWeight in 469, product of:
                1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                  3.0 = termFreq=3.0
                3.2046018 = idf(docFreq=4876, maxDocs=44218)
                0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=469)
          0.113375515 = weight(abstract_txt:mathematics in 469) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.113375515 = score(doc=469,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.27157408 = queryWeight, product of:
                2.4698524 = boost
                6.6796074 = idf(docFreq=150, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.41747546 = fieldWeight in 469, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                6.6796074 = idf(docFreq=150, maxDocs=44218)
                0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=469)
          0.48994532 = weight(abstract_txt:mathematicians in 469) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.48994532 = score(doc=469,freq=3.0), product of:
              0.5498527 = queryWeight, product of:
                4.0580688 = boost
                8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
                0.016461385 = queryNorm
              0.89104825 = fieldWeight in 469, product of:
                1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                  3.0 = termFreq=3.0
                8.231152 = idf(docFreq=31, maxDocs=44218)
                0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=469)
        0.2 = coord(5/25)