My friend Funlop posted a question on his Facebook status the other day asking whether or not math was universally true. As is so often the case, I am no expert on the subject, but I found it an interesting question and thought I’d provide my thoughts.
Math is universally true in that it will work in any part of the universe, but I don’t think math is a universal language or that it is “true” in the sense that there is only one math. I believe that math could be explained to other forms of intelligent life, should we encounter any, but they wouldn’t come up with what we have come up with for understanding mathematics. Math is, at least as I understand it, our attempt to make sense of the world’s patterns and sequences. Those patterns and sequences all follow physical laws, but I believe the means by which we understand them are highly dependent on our experiences.
Once upon a time, we were pretty much all sure that some kind of creator invented us. I have never heard of a system of faith (though it’s possible this is just my ignorance) that does not have it’s own take on how we got here. Some of those creation myths are remarkably interesting, but that hardly changes the truth. They’re stories we told to try to know the unknowable. But we know stuff now, and those myths seem laughable.
I’m a smart guy with at least something of a scientific mind. I’m fascinated by the world around me, and the way that science can explain so much of what is happening using sensible, understandable, repeatable processes. I participate in this blog because I truly and utterly enjoy sharing that interest in science with the people in my world.
Ok, does everyone remember what happened around this time last year? The world went bat-shit crazy over the fact that the LHC was about to create a giant black hole and eat the planet, or destroy the universe or make Sarah Palin Vice-President of the media of the USA!! GASP!