Is Mathematics Discovered Or Invented?

An anonymous reader points out an article up at Science News on a question that, remarkably, is still being debated after a few thousand years: is mathematics discovered, or is it invented? Those who answer "discovered" are the intellectual descendants of Plato; their number includes Roger Penrose. The article notes that one difficulty with the Platonic view: if mathematical ideas exist in some way independent of humans or minds, then human minds engaged in doing mathematics must somehow be able to connect with this non-physical state. The European Mathematical Society recently devoted space to the debate. One of the papers, Let Platonism die, can be found on page 24 of this PDF. The author believes that Platonism "has more in common with mystical religions than with modern science."

Comments

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[Anonymous Coward]

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Theology is the answer

[Anonymous Coward]

This is impossible to answer without understanding of theology directly from the Bible. In fact, it's the only way to explain that math is discovered by man and created by Jesus Christ. If you disagree, then please keep up the argument for another 3000 years.

"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him."

Col 1:16