Author: Fr. Bert Akers, SJ
Article Abstract:
In this imaginative article the author almost playfully leads the reader through a series of juxtapositions in Western civilization’s fascination with quantity and number. Akers shows that, scientists, philosophers and mathematicians who claimed quantity and number as their god suffer from a one-sided view. Akers explains “…that mathematics is a language, a logic, an abstract symbol-system dealing with abstractions; that its power and appeal derives largely from leaving out all that wondrous variety, uniqueness and incalcitrance…” inherent in God’s creation.