E.D. Polivanov and mathematics: application-oriented vs. fundamental sciences

The purpose of the present article is to consider the issue whether there is common ground between mathematics and linguistics. The idea of article was prompted by the relation to mathematics of the famous Russian linguist E.D. Polivanov. Methodologically we gave the floor to a large number of mathematicians and philosophers and came to a conclusion that many scientists recognize division of sciences into application-oriented ones and fundamental. This division concerns, generally mathematics; similar ambitiousness is not typical of linguists. The mathematics oversteps now the limits of separate sciences including humanitarian ones covering the whole amount of ideas concerning the world and it’s transformation with it’s own concepts and methods. The conclusion drawn in the article concerns complementarity of sciences: no matter whether any discoveries and achievements are fundamental or application-oriented. What really matters, the science shouldn’t stand still and it’s achievements are used for the benefit of the mankind.

concept “science”, mathematics, linguistics, fundamental sciences, applied sciences, E.D. Polivanov