The seed that grew math

         Our natural instinct tells us what is the difference between right and wrong, or maybe the benefit of the doubt, to believe that something exists because of “the need” sums up the idea why something exist. Now, we live in a world that is heading toward modernization, do ask ourselves why have this begun? In search of the truth lies within its root, a seed that grew throughout the ages somehow made its big difference. Like, mathematics from a small 1+1=2 emerged to x²+4x+4. But, do we really know why there is mathematics, or why did it begun?

“What is Mathematics Really” is a book that was originally wrote by Richard Courant and Herbert Robins. The thought was further discussed in Reuben Hersh book. Which, he believes that the reason why there is Mathematics is because of the philosophy Humanism. This book is really interesting because it deals to what is mathematic in a socio-cultural perspective. Thus, the meaning of Math’s is bounded towards its axis.

Reuben Hersh discussed that there are three point of view in which he debated the nature of mathematics; first is the Formalist, describing the use of math’s in a form of arbitrary rules with formal and logical terms are involved. But, Reuben Hersh objects and says that “mathematics is an otherwise meaningless game played by explicit but arbitrary rules.” because it misleading the application in real life.

            Second, Reuben Hersh discussed the second point of view that is Platonist. Here he discussed that Platonism doesn’t relate to material reality. More so, he says that Platonism intuition “is the mechanism for accessing the postulated ideal world”.

            And the last philosophical point of view that Reuben Hersh discussed was the Intuitionism, the most essential between the two philosophies because this philosophy saw everybody as essentially finite. Thus, this add up to the thought that our mind establishes the formation of natural numbers based on our experience and thinking.

            Since, Reuben Hersh believes the philosophy Humanism, he accepts that mathematics deals with the mental objects. In addition, human construction deals with the knowledge within our self, thus, he says that mathematical perspective is within human objectivity that is derived towards our socio-cultural constructs. To sum up all, Reuben Hersh believe that mathematics exist is because of human intuition, or Humanism.