Mathematical knowledge may, just like our scientific knowledge, be deep and broad, it may be subtle and wonderfully explanatory, it may be uncontroversially accepted; but it cannot be certain. (Ch. 10)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Mathematics may be vast and explanatory, yet it cannot claim absolute certainty.
- In plain terms
- Math is powerful but not perfectly certain.
- What can you take from it?
- Focus on explanation over certainty in math.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does certainty mean in math?
- Is explanation more valuable than proof?
Another view
Some logical systems do offer certainty within their defined rules.
More from David Deutsch
The next chapter is likely to provoke many mathematicians. This can't be helped. Mathematics is not what they think it is. (Ch. 10)
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