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Are we just trying to prove every theorem or find theories which lead to a lot of creativity or what?

I've already read G. H. Hardy Apology but I didn't get an answer from it.

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    we are just having fun...2011-03-23
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    Why does there have to be a goal?2011-03-23
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    At least for pure mathematics, most mathematicians do it because it's fun, and we get to do it because it's useful...eventually. The mathematical community has a nice symbiosis with the world. Mathematicians just want to understand whatever they are interested in. I don't think any of us joined mathematics for some cause to understand everything.2011-03-23
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    Because there are jobs which require it - and so that more people can earn their living.2011-03-23
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    "Philosophy is a game with objectives and no rules. Mathematics is a game with rules and no objectives."2011-03-23
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    It's a great way to meet women.2011-03-23
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    @Moron: Because usually the people paying the bills (grants, salaries, etc.) want to know!2011-03-23
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    @The Chaz I think you haven't understood the spirit of Moron's comment yet =)2011-03-23
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    For us to evolve...2011-03-23
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    Though slightly tangential it helps to read this book. http://www.math.wustl.edu/~sk/books/proof.pdf2011-03-23
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    @Fixee It's how I met my wife.2011-03-24
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    Give him a coin, since he must profit by what he learns.2011-03-31
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    @Muhammad If I remember it correctly it is said to Euclid by his teacher right? or some story related to Euclid?2011-05-05
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    @Dinesh, I think Euclid said it to a student that was wondering what's the point of all this.2011-05-05
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    @Dinesh, it is as @quanta said.2011-05-05
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    World domination. I should have thought that was clear.2011-12-26
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    do you have any idea **why** a drug addict uses a drug?. The same applies for every mathematians2013-03-24
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    I wonder if any folks from NSF and other funding agencies are reading this. What will their reaction be if they see that mathematicians are just having fun, and don't really care whether their efforts have any value to society. And how will Joe-Q-Public feel, seeing that his tax dollars are being spent to pay a bunch of people who are just exploring abstract conecpts, with no real goals or purpose in mind. Personally, I regard pure mathematics as an art form (roughly), but I don't expect to get paid to do it.2013-06-20
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    We know God exists because mathematics is consistent. We know the devil exists because we can't prove it. - Andre Weil2016-01-22
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    Sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell, mathematics.2016-01-22

18 Answers 18