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Pythagoras' Dream

Is reality mathematical?

Hilary Lawson, Lee Smolin, Peter Hacker.

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The Debate

Pythagoras thought he had discovered the key to the universe: mathematics. Was Pythagoras right? Should we see mathematics as the ultimate character of the world or is this a limited vision?

The Panel

Theoretical physicist Lee Smolin live from Toronto, Oxford philosopher Peter Hacker and metaphysician Hilary Lawson dismantle the foundations of reality.

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Jump to what you want to see in the debate
  • Peter Hacker
    The Pitch
    Oxford philosopher scorns reducing everything to mathematics
  • Lee Smolin
    The Pitch
    Unconventional theoretical physicist contends his colleagues' assumptions
  • Hilary Lawson
    The Pitch
    Anti-realist philosopher weaves in the power of our thought
  • The Debate
    Theme One
    Is reality mathematical?
  • The Debate
    Theme Two
    Why is mathematics successful?
  • The Debate
    Theme Three
    The challenge from non-realism
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Lucian on 17/10/2012 7:44pm

Hi Johan

One idea we're considering for this year is 'Are There Laws of Nature?', which will tackle the issues Lee raises, so watch this space!

In the mean time you might be interested in other debates that explore the limits of scientific knowledge and the question of if and why we can understand reality at all: "Alchemy, Anarchy and Science", "The Ultimate Particle" and the "Ultimate Map of Reality". These can be found under Science and Technology and Metaphysics and Language respectively on the IaI TV homepage search box.

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Johan_0_o on 12/10/2012 12:21pm

Having at first been persuaded by the ideas of our creating the system of mathematics, I then found it odd that both the physicist and that Oxford philosopher spoke about nature being 'kind to us'. What does that mean? nature gently conforms to our systems through some mysterious divine providence?

Is there another debate anywhere that actually delves into this latter question? if not, do one about that - specifically. Is nature kind to us? for building humans who can create systems that fit withitn it rather than jarring with it?

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WhereWithAll on 04/10/2012 1:14pm

Peter Hacker's description of math as a human invention and not a human discovery surely applies not only to the status of mathematical entities but that of all scientific creativity. Are numbers any more of an invention than forces, particles, or any of the other concepts that underpin what we think of as reality? If gravity is just an invention I'd like to see someone make do without it...

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