Infinite number of explanations for something

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the possibility of having an infinite number of explanations for concepts, particularly in mathematics, and how different languages or terminologies might convey the same underlying ideas. The scope includes philosophical considerations about language, mathematics, and the nature of explanations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant wonders if there can be an infinite number of explanations for something, using mathematics as a potential example.
  • Another participant questions the relevance of the initial movie reference to the topic of discussion.
  • A different participant suggests that while syntax and terminology can change, the core ideas remain the same, drawing a parallel to universal grammar in linguistics.
  • It is proposed that mathematical statements can be expressed in various forms without changing their meaning, indicating that the representation may differ while the underlying truth remains constant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between language, representation, and meaning, with some suggesting that core ideas remain unchanged despite variations in expression. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the extent of this idea.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of language and mathematics are present, but these remain unresolved within the discussion.

oldunion
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I was watching a movie, basic instinct, and i got to thinking. I wondered, is it possible to have an infinite number of explanations for something. Mathematics sprung to mind. Could and entirely different scheme exist for explaining wat math does? Like different languages: je suis american, i am american. Two ways of saying the same thing.

It seems only logical that there could be any number of ways to explain things we see as common knowledge, atypically.
 
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First of all, basic instinct is a great movie. And what do your questions have to do with that movie?
 
yomamma said:
First of all, basic instinct is a great movie. And what do your questions have to do with that movie?

Nothing at all. It was merely the impetus.
 
i think you can change the syntax and terminology, but you're really not changing the core idea behind it.

the same way that with language, you can say the same thing many different ways in different languages, but most linguists believe there is some underlying fundamental "universal grammar", at least of some sort. it may look different, but it's really the same thing.

you can change the way we write math so that it looks nothing like we write it, but you can't change the meaning behind it. for instance a^2 + b^2 = c^2. I'm sure it's possible for that to be written in a completely foreign way, but in none of those ways would the statement be false--it just looks different.
 

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