In article <b0365dc2-ab55-422a-8931-53bcbdc15132@k39g2000yqb.googlegroups.com>, Huang <huangxienchen@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Jul 23, 7:42 am, John Stafford <n...@droffats.ten> wrote: > > In article > > <1ae1057e-028b-4792-8fb2-e06f27a8b...@e5g2000yqn.googlegroups.com>, > > > > Huang <huangxienc...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > > I use the word "conjecture" slightly differently than a mathematician > > > would. I use this word because it is the best word to describe the > > > tentattive kinds of relationsships I seek to manipulate. Yet at the > > > same time, a conjecture can never be proven or disproven. > > > > Conjectures have been proven. Once proven, the definition of conjecture > > no longer applies. > > > > But you may use the word, but never say never. > > > > > My usage of the word conjecture is not the same as the common usage. A > > > conjectural statement, in my scheme, is a statement which is based on > > > existential indeterminacy which would form a valid mathematical > > > statement under the assumption of either existence or nonexistence. > > > > Show the math, please. > > > > > Such objects are different from the standard conjectures that are > > > common in math, science and elsewhere. Conjecture, in my usage, cannot > > > be proved. All you can do is demonstrate consistency with mathematics. > > > > Show the math. > > > OK - will try to find an illustrative example and post it shortly. > > But just to clarify and contrast a bit further: > > A mathematical statement is a "truth". It is a certainty.
A proven mathematical statement is a truth.
> In my scheme a conjecture is a statement which is in a permanent state > of indeterminacy. It's permanently a "possibility", a permanent state > of uncertainty. It cannot be proven or disproven, it's impossible.
I'm good with that. I have to leave for the day job now and will try to coin a word to replace 'conjecture'.
> And > amidst the whole collection of such conjectures there is no way to > prove anything, all one can do is demonstrate consistency. I made a > little progress toward that end.
So far it reads like most quantum assertions.
> I cant think of a better word to describe such a statement other than > conjecture. It incorporates existential indeterminacy and so at it's > most fundamental level it is a statement which is permanently and > inherently indeterminate. But this usage is certainly different than > the common usage of the word conjecture in math and elsewhere, it's > the only word that seems to make sense.
Yes. We need a new word. Or an old one that has not been corrupted.
XYZZY? PLUGH!
(A free beer to whomever first gives the source of those two words.)
