Mathematical Realism and Its D
Mathematical Realism and Its DReuben Hersh, a mathematician and mathematics philosopher, believes humans created math. He reasons that math is all in the heads of humans, and is a �social phenomenon�. According to Hersh math is not �physical, not mental, but social�. Math to Hersh is a creation of humans that would not be found in other regions of the universe. According to Hersh if there were other life forms out there in the universe they would not have the same math that we have.
Hersh agrees that there could very well be aliens out there in the universe who use mathematics, but he feels that their math would much different than ours. Others would argue and say that math is the same all around the universe. Mathematicians find it mined boggling that Hersh believes math is created. A mathematician can�t imagine an alien not knowing two plus two is four. Hersh argues that all math isn�t based on facts. He says there is no proof that two plus two is four, and when a mathematician argues with him by giving him math rules Hersh replies by saying �I find it so astonishing that a good mathematician would so...
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