Something To Think About: Mathematical Lunacy
May 1, 2015 3 Comments
The notion that mathematical reasoning is somehow linked with mental illness is not as far-fetched as it might first appear. The late mathematician, Robert Brooks, provides an amusing analogy of his own in our discussion of mathematical shape;
RW: Then it’s(the world of mathematical shapes) your world. You’re immersed in this abstract universe that you’ve created.
RB: That’s right. My wife is a family physician, and she says that the patients that remind her of me the most are the schizophrenics, because they’re walking around in a world that’s very real to them, but invisible to anyone else…. I actually spend a lot of time just sitting with… paper models, playing with them, and asking myself what is the same about them, and what is different.
Mathematics and mental illness: Something to think about.
I would say, this is definitely something to think about. Makes me wonder how ‘mental illness’ can truthfully be defined. We are very limited in our understanding. Mostly we all understand only our own little world. I reckon for a well functioning society some sort of communication is needed. People who do not learn to communicate with people in their environment are seen as being very odd. 🙂
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A very insightful and astute comment, Uta.
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A Beautiful Mind come to mind. 🙂 Wait, I actually love Math. 🙂 Eeek!!!
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