When a human being, ( a knower ) is in search of knowledge, he or she employs many techniques in order to attain it. Regardless of what method is used, it is expected that the knower should seek or provide justification to why that piece of knowledge is true. This may be through the use of various proofs, whether inductive or deductive, or through the use of logical reasoning based upon previous discoveries. However, the question exists, of whether Maths, one of the areas of knowledge, is the only place where truth can be irrefutably and completely proved.
According to common belief, truth can be found in three ways: pragmatic, corresponding and coherent. Each of these processes are different, as they rely on different way to prove something true. Some proofs of truth rely on logical arguments, others rely on previous research, and other types rely simply on the practicality and social opinion of what is stated. However, when examining each process, it can be submitted that all processes are interrelated.
For example, if there were a new mathematical formula which was logically proven through the use of axioms and other previous theories, society would accept that it is a justifiable proof and accept it, therefore proving it on another level. This concept, of a truth being more justified, primarily because it was successfully justified in the first place, can occur throughout all three types of truth. These interrelationships play an important in the proof of many areas of knowledge, (including maths), and therefore should be acknowledged.
Before the analysis of maths is to be undertaken, the definition and context of Mathematics, as an area of Knowledge needs to be thoroughly established. The definition of maths is continuously in contention. After searching for a suitable definition, one from Encarta was found. The definition is as follows:.
"Mathematics, a way of describing relationships between numbers and other measurable quantities.
