Belief Quote by G. H. Hardy
“I believe that mathematical reality lies outside us, that our function is to discover or observe it, and that the theorems which we prove, and which we describe grandiloquently as our "creations," are simply the notes of our observations.”
About This Quote
Source Book: A Mathematician's Apology, G. H. Hardy, 1940
Mathematical truths exist independently of humans; we merely uncover and record them, not create them.
In simple terms: Math truths are out there; we discover them.
Key Takeaway
Seek truth, not personal glory.
Themes
philosophy
mathematics
humility
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- research
- teaching
- publishing
- peer review
Key Concepts
Platonism
epistemology
objectivity
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to “discover” a theorem?
- How can we guard against personal bias?
A Different Perspective
Human bias can color interpretation of data.
![“They [formulae 1.10 - 1.12 of Ramanujan] must be true because, if they were not true, no one would have had the imagination to invent them.” quote by G. H. Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/360/g-h-hardy-8763_being-true_they-formulae-1-10-1-12-of-ramanujan-mus_364964.jpg)
