No, Mathematics isn't a science, because it relies on formal proofs. It doesn't use the Scientific Method. Or as someone tweeted in response to this article:
"Ultimately, we can say that mathematics is the discipline of proving provable statements true. Science, in contrast, is the discipline of proving provable statements false." - @unclebobmartin, Clean Architecture
That doesn't lessen the importance of Mathematics, it's simply a different discipline - and one that underpins much of Science.
I don't agree, but this is a long (but interesting) conversation. My disagreement has nothing to do with the importance of the variety of study fields. Kirit mentioned Karl Popper above and the notion of falsifiability. Karl Popper had the opinion that in mathematics, a simple true statement (like 2+2=4) can't be proven false, thus mathematics don't comply with the notion of falsifiability and therefore mathematics is not a science. Bertrand Russell (alongside with Alfred Whitehead) wrote a 362 page essay in his book Principia Mathematica in order to prove that 1+1=2 that took him 10 years and until his death he had a lot of doubts about his work. Computer science is the result of the doubt in mathematical truth and proofness. Take as example the theory of incompleteness by Kurt Goedel.
For further actions, you may consider blocking this person and/or reporting abuse
We're a place where coders share, stay up-to-date and grow their careers.
No, Mathematics isn't a science, because it relies on formal proofs. It doesn't use the Scientific Method. Or as someone tweeted in response to this article:
"Ultimately, we can say that mathematics is the discipline of proving provable statements true. Science, in contrast, is the discipline of proving provable statements false." - @unclebobmartin, Clean Architecture
That doesn't lessen the importance of Mathematics, it's simply a different discipline - and one that underpins much of Science.
I don't agree, but this is a long (but interesting) conversation. My disagreement has nothing to do with the importance of the variety of study fields. Kirit mentioned Karl Popper above and the notion of falsifiability. Karl Popper had the opinion that in mathematics, a simple true statement (like 2+2=4) can't be proven false, thus mathematics don't comply with the notion of falsifiability and therefore mathematics is not a science. Bertrand Russell (alongside with Alfred Whitehead) wrote a 362 page essay in his book Principia Mathematica in order to prove that 1+1=2 that took him 10 years and until his death he had a lot of doubts about his work. Computer science is the result of the doubt in mathematical truth and proofness. Take as example the theory of incompleteness by Kurt Goedel.