Verifiability, Not Truth - Meaning of "truth" in Different Subject Areas - Logic and Mathematics

Logic and Mathematics

The field of mathematics is strongly based in logic; most, but not all, math operations provide statements whose truth, falsehood, or unknowability is beyond dispute. 2 + 2 = 4 is true, as is 28 = 256. 2 + 2 = 5 is false. The value of Chaitin's constant Ω is unknowable.

There are many other sciences that make an extensive use of maths, such as most formal sciences and physical sciences. The same rule applies to them, as far as it is based only on basic maths. Statements beyond mere calculations, such as proposed theories, must be described, cited and attributed as anything else.

Read more about this topic:  Verifiability, Not Truth, Meaning of "truth" in Different Subject Areas

Famous quotes containing the words logic and/or mathematics:

    Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtle; natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend.
    Francis Bacon (1561–1626)

    Mathematics alone make us feel the limits of our intelligence. For we can always suppose in the case of an experiment that it is inexplicable because we don’t happen to have all the data. In mathematics we have all the data ... and yet we don’t understand. We always come back to the contemplation of our human wretchedness. What force is in relation to our will, the impenetrable opacity of mathematics is in relation to our intelligence.
    Simone Weil (1909–1943)