Software Engineering - Re: Only vaguely on the topic of mathementical/formal foundations

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Re: Only vaguely on the topic of mathementical/formal foundations

Markus E Leypold

2007-03-07, 7:06 pm

"J Thomas" <jethomas5@gmail.com> writes:

> On Mar 6, 9:45 am, Jerry Avins <j...@ieee.org> wrote:
>
> How would we know there was no theory? The theory could have been kept
> secret and only gradually revealed to apprentices. The theory might
> likely have involved gods who granted prayers, and chants as magic
> spells. And it might easily have worked. If you spend years as an
> apprentice learning just how fast to say a chant, it could be a rather
> accurate timer in an age when there were no more reliable timers
> available. That is, chanting spells could have value entirely apart
> from the gods who might not be responding to the spells.

You're reading too much fantasy books. Actually I think even
pre-scientific practioners where much more rational than you suppose
them to be.

Regards -- Markus

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