XiXiDu comments on [LINK] What is it like to have an understanding of very advanced mathematics? - Less Wrong Discussion
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Does intuition play an important role in the field of mathematics? The essay seems to suggest that mathematicians use their intuition a great deal. Terence Tao seems to agree that it is important:
What is intuition?
Damn you, XiXiDu! I'd already squirreled away the first sentence of the second paragraph for January's rationality quotes thread. Ah well.
It still might be a good idea to post it there. Afaik, duplication in quotes threads is discouraged, but not between the quotes threads and the rest of the site.
Intuition is vital. Theorems can take paragraphs and proofs can go for pages; without intuition, the combinatorics would annihilate you. Interestingly, I'm starting to develop new intuitions (in logic, rather than my old field, differential geometry) which means I might soonbe able to do some work in the field.