|
Associate Professor of Mathematics University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast email: First.Last (at) USM.EDU office: Elizabeth Hall 213 office phone: 228-214-3329 |
|
|
All I see is knowledge given temporarily, which ends with the earth, which cannot exist past the separation of the soul and body. What is the purpose of studying mathematics? Its entire subject is created matter. It reveals the form of natural laws, teaches us to count and measure the world, to use these measures for the needs of our temporary life. It does point to the existence of infinity, but only as an idea beyond the limits of matter. An exact description of this idea is logically impossible for any reasonable but limited creature. Mathematics does show that some number and measure, either by their massiveness or minuteness, cannot be subjected to the study of man. It does point to the existence of knowledge to which man strives, but which he cannot understand with the methods of science. Mathematics only hints at the existence of objects beyond the ken of our senses. --St. Ignatius Brianchaninov. The Field: Cultivating Salvation
