The Value of Nothing

Letter to the Editor:

Peter Slezak's fascinating discussion of the concept of zero would have been even better if it had connected two points he made.

One can only applaud his critique of social constructivist views of science.  But such views are part of a wider trend in academia which does much to explain the commercialism he also deplores.  Academics who have undermined concepts of truth and beauty, indeed any conception of cultural achievement, particularly Western cultural achievement, cannot complain if their students concentrate on material achievement:  what else of any seriousness have they left them to strive for in their educational experience?

Nor can they complain if governments fund on narrowly utilitarian grounds:  again, what other basis have they left to justify their public funding?

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