Abstract
In this article the author indicates how mathematical thought has exerted influence in various fields. The questions around the nature of mathematical knowledge and how this might be obtained had their foundation in philosophy. According to Plato man comes lo the truth by means of pure thought, independent of sensory perception. Bergson feels that truth if obtained through “intuition" and not by means of the intellect. Russel reduced mathematical truths to logical truths. According to him logical truths are true exclusively on the basis of the meanings adduced to words and sentences. The extreme criteria laid down by the logical positivists for the meaningfulness of a statement have led to the situation of statements such as “God exists" having no sense any more. Mathematical thought has exerted influence also via philosophy and the mathematical sciences on man’s sense of values and views on the meaning of human existence. The descript ion of man purely in terms of concepts, which was so successful in physics leads to superficiality in the concept of the meaning of human existence, and has alienated man from those things in which he had to find inspiration and tranquillity. The way to oppose nihilism lies in the fact that all aspects of reality and of being human have to he places in a balanced relationship and the correct perspective, and that all these have to be evaluated in the right light.Copyright information
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