FOM: Alternate histories for mathematical axioms

Kanovei kanovei at wmfiz4.math.uni-wuppertal.de
Sat Apr 29 05:21:28 EDT 2000


>Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 10:47:23 -0400
>From: Joe Shipman <shipman at savera.com>

>The intuition of mathematicians has been influenced by historical
>factors.  I claim that if the history of physics and mathematics had
>been a little different, then FOM might be very different.

>Here is one case study.  Please suggest others! 

There is a very hypothetical one, a civilization in 
the vicinity of a cingular celestial body, with 
quantum effects easily observable in everyday life 
(whatever "day" be there). What can be a theory of 
counting if objects of counting may disappear or 
reappear in the process ?

V.Kanovei





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