Philosophy Forums


Negative Numbers

PrintPrint


Page: 1 2 3

Negative Numbers
Samuel Locke
Student

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Oct 17, 2009

Total Topics: 4
Total Posts: 72
Posted 10/22/09 - 09:48 AM:
Subject: Negative Numbers
quote post
#1
Math for the most part is quite logical. One thing I fail to understand is how negative numbers fit with this sentiment. Zero is considered the epitome of nothing. So how can there be less than nothing?
To Mega Therion
Grand Moff
Avatar

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Oct 11, 2009

Total Topics: 3
Total Posts: 181
Posted 10/22/09 - 10:01 AM:
quote post
#2
What, you've never had a negative balance on your account? I envy you...

No, really, you can easily define the binary relation 'is greater than' to include negative numbers, and you have need of these since they are convenient in our description of the world. I don't see the problem with them.
Banno
Old goat
Avatar

Usergroup: Sponsors
Joined: Aug 15, 2004
Location: Oz

Total Topics: 111
Total Posts: 6293
Posted 10/22/09 - 12:10 PM:
quote post
#3
What do you think of irrational numbers?


Davidson: We make maximum sense of the words and thoughts of others when we interpret in a way that optimizes agreement.
Russel Morris: There's a meaning there, but the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing...
Ned: Such is life
James S Saint
Graduate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Oct 14, 2009

Total Topics: 10
Total Posts: 227
Posted 10/22/09 - 12:36 PM:
quote post
#4
Negative numbers can be more rationally thought of as directional rather than quantitative.But even as quantities, they express something missing from a potential (e.g. "The crate is -3 eggs [from being full]").
ragus
Tenured Poster
Avatar

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Apr 23, 2006

Total Topics: 16
Total Posts: 2187
Posted 10/22/09 - 12:45 PM:
quote post
#5
Samuel Locke wrote

So how can there be less than nothing?


Maybe you were thinking how can there be a value of a speed (for example) that's less than zero? My answer is that there can't be.

However, negative numbers are not less than nothing in that way. Draw a line and put a zero on it. To the right of the zero are positive numbers and to the left are negative numbers. The negative/positive attribute is an indicator of position wrt to zero - left or right of it. This could just as well be represented by two colours (as the Chinese did using red and black).

Banno wrote

What do you think of irrational numbers?


They have my sumpathy.

"A word in your ear is like an untethered goat in a field" Wittigenstein
Banno
Old goat
Avatar

Usergroup: Sponsors
Joined: Aug 15, 2004
Location: Oz

Total Topics: 111
Total Posts: 6293
Posted 10/22/09 - 12:46 PM:
quote post
#6
Nothing causes so much philosophical discontent. I suggest we do away with nothing.


Davidson: We make maximum sense of the words and thoughts of others when we interpret in a way that optimizes agreement.
Russel Morris: There's a meaning there, but the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing...
Ned: Such is life
ragus
Tenured Poster
Avatar

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Apr 23, 2006

Total Topics: 16
Total Posts: 2187
Posted 10/22/09 - 01:03 PM:
quote post
#7
Banno wrote

Nothing causes so much philosophical discontent. I suggest we do away with nothing.


A moody silence of suitable duration should ensue on behalf of the hearer if someone were to use that word thus establishing a sort of linguistic black-hole.

"A word in your ear is like an untethered goat in a field" Wittigenstein
Banno
Old goat
Avatar

Usergroup: Sponsors
Joined: Aug 15, 2004
Location: Oz

Total Topics: 111
Total Posts: 6293
Posted 10/22/09 - 01:16 PM:
quote post
#8
....


Davidson: We make maximum sense of the words and thoughts of others when we interpret in a way that optimizes agreement.
Russel Morris: There's a meaning there, but the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing...
Ned: Such is life
ragus
Tenured Poster
Avatar

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Apr 23, 2006

Total Topics: 16
Total Posts: 2187
Posted 10/22/09 - 01:24 PM:
quote post
#9
That's fairly silent but I think the essential moodiness is not obvious. You could be accused of pondering.

"A word in your ear is like an untethered goat in a field" Wittigenstein
Banno
Old goat
Avatar

Usergroup: Sponsors
Joined: Aug 15, 2004
Location: Oz

Total Topics: 111
Total Posts: 6293
Posted 10/22/09 - 01:33 PM:
quote post
#10
rolling eyes?


Davidson: We make maximum sense of the words and thoughts of others when we interpret in a way that optimizes agreement.
Russel Morris: There's a meaning there, but the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing...
Ned: Such is life
Download thread as

Page: 1 2 3



Sorry, you don't have permission to post. Log in, or register if you haven't yet.