If you cannot explain it, then how do you know you do not do that? No
offense, but autistic savants also have trouble describing their process
when they do math. They have high visuospatial intelligence, but low
verbal. Mathematicians have a high Autism Spectrum Quotient. [1]
Mathematicians have trouble describing their process because of their
vast knowledge and experience of math. Their experience of mathematics
makes it intuitive, so it is hard to explain their visual manipulation
process.
I am almost certain that visuospatial intelligence is required to do
mathematics. A blind person without internal visuospatial intelligence
would be considered retarded. Visualspatial intelligence is required for
almost anything.
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_Spectrum_Quotient
Benjamin Goertzel wrote:
> Well, it's hard to put into words what I do in my head when I do
> mathematics... it probably does use visual cortex in some way, but's
> not "visually manipulating mathematical expressions" nor using
visual
> metaphors...
I can completely describe. I completely do mathematics by visually
manipulating and visually replacing symbols with other symbols. I also
do mathematical reasoning and theorem proving with that.
I believe you, but that is not what I nor many other mathematicians do..
Mathematicians
commonly have high visuospatial intelligence, that's why they have
high IQs.
Well if you look at Hadamard's "Psychology of Mathematical Invention"
or more recent works in the area, you'll see there's a lot more
diversity to the ways mathematicians approach mathematical thought...
Ben
<http://v2.listbox.com/member/?&;>
-----
This list is sponsored by AGIRI: http://www.agiri.org/email
To unsubscribe or change your options, please go to:
http://v2.listbox.com/member/?member_id=8660244&id_secret=53128936-a0f9a7
