Dear Stephen, Given that, were it not for Plato the question you ask me would not make sense and could not probably be formulated, I should not have to answer it.
If that is what you driving at: Mathematical Realism or Platonism is not a religion, but a conviction which most working mathematician have been reasonably led to in their practice. As for physicists it is a prejudice that most share but few find a need to confess. My only distinction is that I am quite shameless about it... -Joao Stephen Paul King wrote: > Dear Joao, > > Is this the statement of a person that bases their belief in faith or > reason? > > Sincerly, > > Stephen > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Joao Leao" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Lennart Nilsson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Cc: "Everything List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Monday, June 16, 2003 11:18 AM > Subject: Re: Fw: Something for Platonists > > > Speaking as a devout Platonist I see nothing much to contemplate > > in Deutsch's statement! Whether the Universe is computable, as > > he states without argument, or the computable subrealm of the > > mathematical world coincides with the physical, which he > > believes for unstated reasons, is of no concern to me or any > > self-respecting Platonist. The Realm of Forms is entirely > > separate from the physical universe which is nothing but > > an inept and corrupt model of it. Our physical theories, > > and Deutsh's speculations are even crappier versions of > > that model which capture nothing but mere glimpses of > > the Platonic World and thus are destined to be surpassed. > > > > Computation may be indeed a fairly acceptable measure > > of our ineptitude to see into Platonia: that is a plausible > > hypothesis. But the fact that we know of the realm of > > the uncomputable and that we can access its truths > > irrespective of our finite computational capabilities > > is an entirely more profound statement than any of > > Deutsch dubious speculations... > > > > -Joao Leao -- Joao Pedro Leao ::: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics 1815 Massachussetts Av. , Cambridge MA 02140 Work Phone: (617)-496-7990 extension 124 VoIP Phone: (617)=384-6679 Cell-Phone: (617)-817-1800 ---------------------------------------------- "All generalizations are abusive (specially this one!)" -------------------------------------------------------
