[MD] Language

[plattholden at gmail.com]

On 9 Feb 2010 at 10:11, Steven Peterson wrote:

> Hi Platt,
> 
> On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 9:54 AM, <plattholden at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> >  On 9 Feb 2010 at 9:16, Steven Peterson wrote:
> > > Hammers and screw drivers are useful tools. Note that we never ask about
> > > them, does this hammer correctly correspond to The-Way-Things-Really-Are?
> > By
> > > the same token, it is not required that we ask such questions about the
> > tool
> > > called mathematics.
> >
> > Platt:
> 
> >  The reason we don't question is because such tools are obviously
> > attuned to the world as it really is. By the same token, we don't question
> > whether swallowing cyanide is injurious to one's health.
> >
> 
> Steve:
> Are you suggesting that mathematics is not obviously attuned to the world?
> I'm not sure that I understand what you mean by the phrase "attuned to the
> world."

Hi Steve,

No. Mathematics  is just as attuned to the world as hammers, screw 
drivers and other useful tools. "Attuned to the world" means 
"harmonious with reality." 

Steve:
> In your swallowing cyanide example, are you saying that cyanide is attuned
> to the world as it really is or rather that it is part of the world? Are not
> hammers and mathematics part of the world?

Absolutely.

> You seem to be presupposing that the purpose of a hammer is to help us cope
> with the world and is attuned to that purpose. I am proposing that
> mathematics be thought of in the same way rather than as a representation of
> reality.

I would propose that mathematics is simultaneously representative and 
attuned to help us with the world as well as being part of the world. . 
Similarly, spoken language is simultaneously objective puffs of wind and 
subjective meaning.

Sorry I didn't make myself clear before. Hope this helps. 

Regards,
Platt