Monday, October 16, 2006

 

JSH: Computer checking

I have brought up the subject of computers checking arguments claimed to be mathematical proofs, but it's worth bringing up yet again with some emphasis on what the lack of broad use of computer checking in our modern world may mean.

If you are a student then you are at some institution of learning, where knowledge is key, and pursuit of knowledge is a high ideal.

Computers have developed much in our modern world and are crucial to the continual development of that world.

In "pure math" areas currently the word of a group of people, sometimes only one or two reviewers is considered be enough to determine truth and value of knowledge.

Checking of mathematical arguments can be tedious business and in a way is just like spell checking or grammar checking as a perfect argument goes step-by-step, logically. So proof checking is just looking for mistakes—missing steps—like looking for spelling errors or grammar mistakes.

If computers are NOT used today widely to check arguments claimed to be mathematical proofs then one might consider the possibility that such checking is a threat to people who make their livings coming up with such arguments.

If that is true and lack of real development of computer checking is about some people needing to keep an objective check out of their way, then you are talking about people who cannot truly value knowledge, who also are willing to put their own needs above the progress of the world.

Such people would not be nice. They would be capable of using just about any tool at their disposal to protect their income and positions.

They would be capable of relying on people's trust to protect their abuse of it.

To stop progress, to block technological development, and keep checking of arguments claimed to be mathematical proofs away from machines that would objectively check, versus some human beings doing the tedious business of looking for other people's mistakes.

If that scenario is at all correct then you may be being taught mathematics by a person or persons capable of doing whatever it takes.





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