| Math Mojo - Making Math Meaningful |
What does the Bill of Rights have to do with Math?
The First Ten Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America (know as The Bill of Rights) can be seen as parameters (limits) to criteria (axia).
What does that mean? The Constitution can be considered to be like mathematical rules, definintions, and/or axioms (axia), which state things which we assume to be true ("We hold thise truths to be self-evident..." from the Declaration of Independence). The Constitution states the basis of the laws of the land. The Bill of Rights limits what can be done with those laws, and prevents abuses thereof. It says, more or less, "The legislative branch is the one which makes laws, but it cannot make a law which...(pick your amendment). " That is a parameter.
Now, in mathematics, there are certain definitions. One is that a rational number is a number which can be expressed as a/b where a and b are integers, and b cannot equal 0. (if you are curious as to why b cannot equal 0, go back to the "interesting lessons" page, later, and click on "why they say you can't divide by zero.") In this definition, the "where" part is the parameter. In other words, "the law says this, but the amendment is: 'but not in this certain case'." That is a parameter.
To keep in mind:
Mathematics deals with the abstract. So does government. For instance:
In mathematics, you can break every rule, and do everything your own way. It won't work as well as the system which was well thought out and based on consistency and fairness. You will pay for it in the end, even if you don't get sent to jail for it. You can base all your decisions on faulty calculations if you like. If you do that, though, in the long run, your faulty outcomes will far outweigh your good outcomes. You will pay a fundamental and heavy price for your inablility to deal consistently and thoughtfully.
The same holds for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
As with mathematics, the Constitution is subject to change (it has been done 27 times - that's what the amendments are), but only by thoughtful, lawful debate, and only by consent of the governed. It must be consistent with the other parts of the Constitution - it may not conflict with them. That is what is meant by something being constitutional or unconstitutional. In math, all laws have to be consistent with other laws and axioms. That is what is meant by an equation being correct, or a proof being sound.
Obviously, government is not as clear as mathematics. It seems to me that is because it is so frequently corrupted by irrational emotions and other agendas.
Can you imagine a world which was governed as fairly and clearly as the laws of mathematics and logic? That's what the enlightenment philosophers and the founding fathers were shooting for. They weren't immature enough to imagine it was possible to perfect, but they were brilliant and brave enough to think it was worth striving for.
What do you strive for?
For more about laws in mathematics, you can check out What's the Deal with the Laws in Mathematics?
As with everything else in Math Mojo, I am giving you this to think about. I am not the final arbiter of mathematical (or any other kind of) law. Find out more for yourself. Take everything with a grain of salt, and filter it through you own mind. That will strengthen your mind. After all, that's what this is all about, right?
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Math Mojo is part of Magic and Learning - a company that uses methods of magicians to teach thinking skills.