The Nature of Mathematics #252713

To the question about the use of mathematics we may reply by pointing out two obvious consequences of one of the applica tions of mathematics: mathematics prevents much loss of life at sea, and increases the commercial prosperity of nations. Only a few men — a few intelligent philosophers and more amateur philosophers who are not highly intelligent — would doubt if these two things were indeed benefits. Still, probably, all of us act as if we thought that they were. Now, I do not mean that mathematicians go about with life-belts or serve behind counters they do not usually do so. What I mean I will now try to explain.