>Bill Snyder wrote:

>> On Mon, 8 Sep 2008 08:14:21 -0700 (PDT), Jerry Kraus
>> yahoo.com> wrote:
>>

>>> On Sep 7, 10:51 am, John J wrote:

>>>> Wayne Throop wrote:

>>>>>>> Why isn't this noted in conventional histories of mathematics?

>>>>

>>>>>> Gene chewbacca.org>
>>>>>> Because it's not mathematics, it's philosophy.

>>>>

>>>>> Ah, but mathematics is the philosophy of measurement.

>>>>
>>>> Very interesting observation. I know two very good professional
>>>> mathematicians, and each agrees that mathematics is immensely
>>>> useful to science, but in the grand picture it is always
>>>> susceptible to question.

>>>
>>> The nice thing about mathematicians is that they admire ideas.
>>> Unlike many scientists, who merely seek power.

>>
>> As we can all see from the vast number of powerful and wealthy
>> scientists, the fact that Congress and the state legislatures are
>> dominated by scientists, the many, many scientists serving as
>> Governors, the frequent elections of scientist Presidents, etc.,
>> etc.

>
>You misunderstand what "power" mean in academia. What they want is
>total, maniacal control over curricula, tenure committees, teaching
>assignments, and parking spaces.
>