Mathematics = Heightened Perception of Reality/World

[RicktheRuler]

It is generally accepted by those that study literature that the "process"--basically just studying lit-over time heightens one ability to understand the world/their existence/reality (a heightened ability to perceive their surroundings).

For those of you that have an "advanced" ( i cannot define that term here as I don't know where to draw the line please feel free to define in your answer) understanding of mathematics:

Do you feel the study of mathematics has a similar impact on the student? If so, at what point? How?

I really would appreciate some serious answers here, as I think it could generate an interesting discussion, especially from those of you that have an "adavanced" understanding of mathematics.

Thanks.

[purnell]

I am not a student of advanced math. I made it through four semesters of calc/analytic geometry, but then my profs stopped speaking English.

Which brings me to my point. Math is a powerful language that allows folks to talk about complex concepts with great precision (wrong word, maybe rigor?). Learning the language of math allows the student to exercise his reasoning ability in a similar way that critically reading classic works of literature does, so in that way they are similar.

[RicktheRuler]

Thanks for the response. I was sort of thinking the same things, but without that heightened understanding of the subject I couldn't answer my own question.

Hopefully, we will get some more responses and keep the thread going.

[Paul2432]

This thread had a spirited discussion. Even some normally logical thinkers persisted in an illogical belief. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Paul

[PairTheBoard]

imo, the study of advanced mathematics is a mind expanding experience. You must learn to accept concepts which at first seem alien and almost incomprehensable. There seems to be a kind of mental barrier or inertia which effects a kind of reactionary resistance to such concepts. The persistent effort in overcoming such reactions to new concepts is a freeing exercise for the mind imo. But as far as heightening a person's ability to understand the world/existence/reality I don't think Mathematics in itself goes very far. As deep and wide as it is, it's still a very specialized tool. It's also not nearly as powerful even in doing what it's designed to do as many people think. imo, it's still in the Baby stage, not yet even out of its crib.

That being said, I do think that if you take the expanded, opened, lubricated, freed mind from advanced study of math, and apply it to the study of the arts, psychology, spirituality, history, politics, and people in general; Then you will find a heightened perception of the world/existence/reality.

PairTheBoard

[TStoneMBD]

studying anything extremely dilligently should manifest this affect.

[Demana]

Is learning the language of poker any different?

We get out of it what we put into it.

[purnell]

[ QUOTE ]
Is learning the language of poker any different?

We get out of it what we put into it.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's why I'm reading and posting, D.

[Demana]

Me too [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[timmer]

I think the study and practice of zazen meditation can do all these things as foar as math or lit goes I think they give you some cool stuff to meditate on.

timmer