There are theories around that math is also at least in part a human
construct. Certainly, the fact that physics theory changes in very
fundamental ways every so often indicates that the human mind is, in
some way, getting in the way of discovering the ultimate truth about
'nature'. George Lakoff, who studies metaphor extensively, has some
claims about math being based on metaphorical conceptualization (sets
being containers, among other things). I don't have the details,
unfortunately, but he may have a paper out about it -- or by now, a book.

Of course, whether there is an ultimate truth about nature and whether
we can ever access it (is, are!?!) a fundamental philosophical issue. (I
say 'is'). Maybe an issue beyond the ATEG list's concerns. But fun, still.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Johanna Rubba   Assistant Professor, Linguistics
English Department, California Polytechnic State University
One Grand Avenue  • San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Tel. (805)-756-2184  •  Fax: (805)-756-6374 • Dept. Phone.  756-259
• E-mail: [log in to unmask] •  Home page: http://www.calpoly.edu/~jrubba
                                       **
"Understanding is a lot like sex; it's got a practical purpose,
but that's not why people do it normally"  -            Frank  Oppenheimer
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