Philosophers Say Numbers Aren’t Real, but They’re Wrong

What exactly is the number 4? Yes, it can be written as 4 or four or anyway depending on the time or language, but what is it? What is a number? When you think about it, you might not know or be able to articulate the answer to these questions, like most people. Philosophers argue that numbers are a figment of the human mind, based on our subjective view of the world. However, numbers are real, and biology proves it.

You and I see four birds flying. But there’s also two dogs walking. The two groups of animals have nothing to do with one another, except you and I have seen them on our walk to the park. So, we could say we saw four birds and two dogs. Or we could say we saw six animals on our walk to the park. But what about the other animals we saw on our way back from the park? Should we count them too? Well, it’s really up to us, so it’s kind of subjective. And that is the slippery slope on top of which philosophers sneer down on those who dare recognize numbers as real. However, it’s deeper than that.

…we are simply observing a mathematical formula nature continues to follow.

Humans typically are born with two eyes. Let’s start with the basics. On a genetic level, our bodies have decided that we will be granted two eyeballs each. Except in some cases, this is usually what happens. We may not be able to articulate the exact meaning of the word two, but we can see that humans have a common set of eyeballs. In the instance of noting in our own biased language that humans have a certain set of eyes, we are simply observing a mathematical formula nature continues to follow.

Moreover, a blood cell usually has forty-six chromosomes, twenty-three provided by each parent. The human body has decided that this is the optimal number of chromosomes for a human to thrive. The genetics of butterflies and every other creature on this planet have done the same. All continue to evolve.

…“that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”.

Regardless of if we recognize the true existence of numbers or not, if scientists were to create humans with more or less chromosomes, they would be tried for crimes against humanity. The fact that nature uses math and we use that same math to create cures to extend life proves the existence numbers.

Shakespeare wrote “that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”, meaning it’s not what a thing is called that makes it what it is. Calling numbers a figment of the human imagination unfairly ignores the mathematical formulas built into nature to produce the reality in which we ponder these ideas.

Numbers are as real as life itself, for life couldn’t exist without numbers.

Beehives typically have one queen. An ant colony usually has one queen. Neither have a king. Although the number of bees or ants might vary depending on location or “species” — if you will — they still usually have just one queen. We as humans can call numbers whatever we want, but they are inscribed throughout nature and the universe without human interference or intervention.

If numbers do not exist, why does human DNA come in two strains from two contributors? Why does one sperm usually impregnate one egg? Why doesn’t the human body allow three contributors to one human offspring? Reproduction varies among species, sometimes wildly. Yet there is a formula for reproduction on a genetic level.

The above noted, humans observing and classifying organisms or nonorganisms into groups or using numbers doesn’t change or make the fact that numbers exist, regardless of name or observation. To argue numbers don’t exist is to argue DNA has no numerical code, when it factually does. Numbers are as real as life itself, for life couldn’t exist without numbers.

This article was written by Jermaine Reed, MFA, the Editor-in-Chief of The Reeders Block, who also works an Adjunct College Professor and director. Join the email list to get notifications on new articles and books. This article is 100% human-written. And remember, if you see an error, that’s what makes us human. Subscribe and share.