2015/12/16 by Derek K. Wise, Wise, Derek K.
Arts and Humanities · Physics and Astronomy · #Biblical Studies and Interpretation #Christian Theology and Mission #FOS: Physical sciences #History and Philosophy of Physics (physics.hist-ph) #Media, Religion, Digital Communication #physics.hist-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1512.05217
Third Prize in the 2015 FQXi essay contest
arxiv created 2015/12/16 · openalex publication_date 2015/12/16 · arxiv updated 2015/12/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Wigner's famous and influential claim that mathematics is "unreasonably effective" in physics is founded on unreasonable assumptions about the nature of mathematics and its independence of physics. Here I argue that what is surprising is not the effectiveness of mathematics but the amenability of physics to reductionist strategies. I also argue that while our luck may run out on the effectiveness of reductionism, mathematics is still our best hope for surpassing this obstacle. While I agree that human understanding of the natural world in mathematical terms evinces a miracle, I see no way to factor out the human dimension of this miracle.