[JadeNB]

> > Feynman concluded: “for my money Fermat’s theorem is true”.

> > "the main job of theoretical physics is to prove yourself wrong as soon as possible."

> Great example of the main difference between mathematicians and theoretical physicists.

Actually, I'm not sure I agree: even before Wiles's proof, almost every mathematician would have been willing to wager, at least conversationally, on the truth of FLT; and mathematicians also are in the business of proving themselves wrong as soon as possible. The only catch is that we don't count an inability to prove yourself wrong as a proof that you're right ….

[x3tm]

The difference lies in the fact that absolute rigor to assess truths is not as fundamental in theoretical physics as it is in mathematics. Uncertainty is accepted. Physics puts a premium on empirical results and intuition over the more formal treatments common in mathematics (many important results/tools are not mathematically well-defined e.g. Feynman path-integral in d > 1).

[JadeNB]

Agreed! I didn't mean to claim that there isn't a difference, for there is a wide one; only that the two particular quotes chosen seemed (unlike most other things Feynman said!) not to illustrate them.

[x3tm]

Fair enough. Agree that the second quote doesn’t illustrate my point, contrary to the first one. Cheers!