[Om3] Being pragmatic about the semantics of, eg, variables and functions

c.a.rowley at open.ac.uk c.a.rowley at open.ac.uk
Mon Mar 23 14:22:46 CET 2009



>>
> Manifesto: a pure, context-free lambda-expression neither describes a
> mathematical function nor expresses any 'mathematical semantics'.

This is a (doubtless intentionally) provocative statement, with which I
have some sympathy. Of course, it is technically false, a "pure,
context-free lambda-expression" expresses the mathematical semantics of
such an object in the lambda-calculus.
>>

True and true.

>>
Whether this is relevant to much of
the rest of the mathematics is the question.
>>

Precisely, but more precisely:

 is it relevant to current usage of OM ?
 is it relevant to anticipated and different uses of OM ?
 is it relevant to the digitisation of (most) mathematical exposition ?


chris
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