MATHEMATICS AS INDISPENSABLE
In its most general version, the indispensability argument in philosophy of
mathematics consists of two premises. The main premise is that we should believe
in the existence of mathematical objects if we require them in our best scientific
hypothesis. The minor premise asserts that mathematical objects are required in
scientific theory. The argument concludes that we should trust in mathematical
abstractions. Math may appear abstract in the learning environment, but the fact
is that we utilize it all the time, even if we are unaware of it. Math benefits us in
making decisions, predicting results, and keeping our lives organized. Math
underlies everything around us on a broader scale. Finance, as the most
important aspect of how math works. Technology that made us develop a
modernized way of living. Transport and travel, weather and climate are just few
of more how Mathematics is essential and is considered as indispensable.
The most evident way to begin is with something we all deal with: money.
Arithmetic capacity is necessary for building a budget, constructing a savings
plan, or determining whether what we wish to buy is truly a deal. We can
calculate the true cost of a credit card, online payment platform, or loan, or the
possible return on an investment, for example, if we understand percentages.
Engineers design and build aircraft, trains, and automobiles using arithmetic such
as algebra and calculus. One may even utilize math when arranging a family
vacation, such as calculating the amount of gasoline needed for a road trip,
changing foreign currencies, or adding up local taxes abroad.
Meteorologists forecast future temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and other
meteorological phenomena using statistical modeling. Climate scientists employ
mathematical skills such as differential equations to simulate various climate
change scenarios based on historical data. Math may also be used to forecast
natural calamities such as tsunamis, earthquakes, and bushfires, which insurers use
to assess risk and establish premium pricing.
The internet and phone lines combine to build a massive network that allows
people to exchange data - whether it's webpages or phone conversations. All
users are linked by a plethora of linkages, each with a limited capacity. When you
contact or visit a website, network operators must find a method to connect
sender and receiver without surpassing the capacity of any single link.
It would be difficult to provide a dependable service without the mathematics of
queuing theory. When making a phone call, mathematical models based on
Poisson processes almost guarantee that you will hear a dial tone.
Routing internet connections is substantially more complicated since requests
occur at an unpredictable pace and for longer periods of time. This resulted in
the creation of packet-switching, which divides all data (websites, emails, or files)
into little "packets" that are transmitted individually. This improves network
efficiency and robustness, but routers might get overloaded with too many
packets, causing the connection to fail. Some feel that Fractal mathematics will
assist to produce a far more dependable internet connection in the future.
Therefore, Mathematics is one of the things that manages us to live in a more
convenient way. From the data gathered to operate a machinery and how foods
were processed, to waking up each time is considered as Mathematics. Basically,
we need Mathematics to survive and that is what makes it more indispensable.
Sources:
Math matters in everyday life | Northern Illinois University. (n.d.). Northern Illinois University.
https://www.niu.edu/mathmatters/everyday-life/index.shtml
Indispensability Argument in the Philosophy of Mathematics | Internet Encyclopedia of
Philosophy. (n.d.). https://iep.utm.edu/indimath/
Indispensability Arguments in the Philosophy of Mathematics (Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy). (2023, March 6). https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mathphil-indis/
Mathigon. (n.d.). Applications of Mathematics – Mathigon.
https://mathigon.org/applications/internet
Hub, M. (n.d.). 8 ways we use maths in everyday life. Mathematics Hub.
https://www.mathematicshub.edu.au/families/for-parents-and-carers/why-maths/8-wayswe-use-maths-in-everyday-life/