Does Classifying Mathematics as a Science Affect Its Usefulness?

[CRGreathouse]

Certainly if computer science is a science, then mathematics must also qualify.

There's truth to the adage: "Anything that calls itself a science, isn't a science."

 

[Grep]

There's truth to the adage: "Anything that calls itself a science, isn't a science."

Indeed. I mean, who came up with "Political Science" anyways. That makes no sense. In my opinion, whoever thought that up needs a smack. Hard.

 

[symbolipoint]

Unroductive Arguments! More than one kind of science exist. Life/Biological Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, ... some method should exist for classifying computer fields and mathematics as whatever classification of sciences they are.

If Mathematics is a science, then is it more useful than if it were not?
If Mathematics is not a science, then is it less useful than if it were?
Is it any less or more important just because it may or may not be a science?
Many things we do relate to various Mathematics, and the relevant Mathematics helps to understand those "many things...". Same with many things which we may study.

 

[Philosopher_k]

I retract my previous comments that mathematics is not a science.

Mathematics stands in the midpoint between philosophy and science. It could be defined as either.

 

[mathwonk]

mathematicians argue from definitions. definitions vary but here are several.. mathematics certainly fits some of them;

a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws: the mathematical sciences.
2.
systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation.
3.
any of the branches of natural or physical science.
4.
systematized knowledge in general.
5.
knowledge, as of facts or principles; knowledge gained by systematic study.
6.
a particular branch of knowledge.
7.
skill, esp. reflecting a precise application of facts or principles; proficiency.

 

[Mentallic]

Unroductive Arguments! More than one kind of science exist. Life/Biological Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, ... some method should exist for classifying computer fields and mathematics as whatever classification of sciences they are.

If Mathematics is a science, then is it more useful than if it were not?
If Mathematics is not a science, then is it less useful than if it were?
Is it any less or more important just because it may or may not be a science?
Many things we do relate to various Mathematics, and the relevant Mathematics helps to understand those "many things...". Same with many things which we may study.

However we define Mathematics, it won't change anything about how useful it is to us. We can still choose to classify it in whichever way we find appropriate.