Re: Mathematics and Music

Posted by Günther Greindl on Jul 14, 2008; 1:16pm
URL: http://friam.383.s1.nabble.com/Mathematics-and-Music-tp473042p527216.html

Glen,

> So, I agree with you that it's a model; but I disagree that it's a
> mathematical model except in the pathological limit-case where all of
> reality is somehow defined as "mathematics".  A strong Platonist might
> well say that all reality is mathematics.  And if that's your point,
> then it's well taken!

Have you read Tegmark's Mathematical Universe?
http://arxiv.org/abs/0704.0646

Through my research into the scientific realism debate and structural
realism, I think one is hard pressed to attribute anything other to
reality than a relational structure.

See for instance here:
http://apperceptual.wordpress.com/2007/01/05/hello-world/

But mathematics is the study of relations/structure/patterns.

I have a somewhat longer post on my blog defending the mathematical
universe view, I would be very interested in your comments if you have
time and interest to read it.


http://www.complexitystudies.org/2008/06/24/comments-on-tegmarkbackreaction-2/


> I find such an extreme limit case degenerate, though, because it
> obviates the need for one of the two words.  If all reality is math and
> all math is reality, then we don't need both terms and we shouldn't use
> both terms.  We could just say stuff like:
>
> "Bobby, go and do your reality homework!" [grin]

No, the one is the math structure itself (reality); "math" as we call it
is the reflection of the structure in an embedded  (in the math
structure) cognitive system (human etc) (which is of course part of the
larger reality -> it is simply a nested structure with some parts
mirroring other parts).

Cheers,
Günther


--
Günther Greindl
Department of Philosophy of Science
University of Vienna
[hidden email]

Blog: http://www.complexitystudies.org/
Thesis: http://www.complexitystudies.org/proposal/


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