Most Mathematicians Work Informally Without Concern for Formal Foundations
By
scrivanodev
Properly proved. Has structure, has flavour, has a point.
Summary
The article argues that most mathematicians don't actually care about or understand the formal foundations of mathematics (like set theory, axiom of choice, law of excluded middle), despite common perceptions. It claims mathematicians work informally throughout their careers, and that mathematical foundations are a relatively recent development (19th century) that didn't invalidate previous mathematics. The piece suggests mathematicians are more concerned with practical problem-solving than philosophical foundations.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledMany people seem to believe mathematicians work in non-constructive, non-structural, battered foundations because they love their Platonic realm and have a kink for AC and LEM.
The reality is most mathematicians don't have a clue about foundations, they don't care, and happily work informally for all their lives.
Case in point, mathematical foundations are a pretty recent thing (19th century if we are being generous) but their establishment didn't deprecate previous mathematics, which continued to be studied.
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