tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3046071861494986299.post4394355568121183558..comments2023-08-26T05:08:54.898-07:00Comments on Magic, maths and money: How economics suffers from de-politicised mathematicsTim Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952723922503939504noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3046071861494986299.post-45025272851968256692013-10-04T06:36:22.753-07:002013-10-04T06:36:22.753-07:00@Soccer Dad, I think the connection between the de...@Soccer Dad, I think the connection between the development of philosophical logic relating to mathematics is a crucial one in this context. The subsequent application of these implied principles to economic systems is where the 'mathematisation' of economics breaks down - not only is there a Straussian paradox (distinction of 'facts' and 'values'), but the application of seemingly a priori truths (mathematics) to open, non-deterministic systems (economics) is a fatal error of the discipline in the post-war period, particularly under neoliberal ideology. Mick Peelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927643687365852695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3046071861494986299.post-29722665801364528212013-09-23T10:06:26.992-07:002013-09-23T10:06:26.992-07:00you need to learn to edit your thoughts before pos...you need to learn to edit your thoughts before posting<br />That entire historical thing could be deleted<br />And replaced with, math is higher salarys at universitys, or something like thatSoccer Dadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10745967553131454562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3046071861494986299.post-29398551515886511402013-09-22T08:53:34.438-07:002013-09-22T08:53:34.438-07:00Thank you for highlighting an area that needs lots...Thank you for highlighting an area that needs lots of interdisciplinary focus. Elucidating the way social pressure and catastrophe interact with seemingly logical processes is key to our survival, perhaps?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3046071861494986299.post-60447255165997944972013-09-21T18:33:35.372-07:002013-09-21T18:33:35.372-07:00Nice post, although a bit sporadic in some of the ...Nice post, although a bit sporadic in some of the narrative. I was surprised to learn that Godel first delivered his results in Koningsburg, can you provide a reference for this? A lot of important math history is centred around that city, I think I should write a post about it.<br /><br />I wish you had spent more time on Poincare, since I feel like he often gets the short end of the stick. I definitely feel that <a href="http://egtheory.wordpress.com/2012/11/04/connectors/" rel="nofollow">cstheorists should look to him as a founding father instead of obsessing with formalism</a>. This brings me to my main disagreement, I would argue that theoretical computer science is the most abstract branch of applied mathematics. <a href="http://cstheory.stackexchange.com/q/7951/1037" rel="nofollow">Maybe cstheory and finance should get together?</a><br /><br />I definitely agree with your central message though, mathematicians should try harder to engage with the non-mathematical community. I am not sure if the public sphere is the best place to start, though. I would advocate for connecting with fields that are heavy on experiment but low on math, such as biology and parts of neuroscience. In economics, finance, or the public sphere where I feel a lot of theory is data-independent, mathematics gets unjustified power by offering a certainty that cannot be easily challenged. I think this is dangerous to both mathematics and the fields it engages with. In experiment heavy fields, however, people can always turn to nature for the 'final word', and thus limit the power given to wielders of mathematics. This more balanced power-dynamic will be less dangerous for the field, and more humbling (and thus productive) for mathematics.Artem Kaznatcheevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10862186635014217785noreply@blogger.com