Comment on Science vs. art

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:18:32 GMT

In that case, I guess the answer would be "no, but I expect them to place the same sort of value on knowledge as they do on art (in addition to the obvious instrumental value of knowledge)". I like reading new proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem in much the same way I like seeing new artwork by Sandro Del Prete. I'm not sure if I'm agreeing or disagreeing with you here - I think I'm mostly saying that I'm not really sure what "intrinsic" value means.

An elegant proof of the Riemman Hypothesis that forms spontaneously in the Andromeda Galaxy has no value to me, any more than a sequel to Mostly Harmless that forms spontaneously in the Andromeda Galaxy, but either would have value if there were people around to enjoy them

Actually, I feel the best response might be "taboo 'instrinsic' and 'instrumental'".

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