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The primary goal of all basic sciences is human understanding. "Truth" is no more a goal for mathematicians than the physical laws are a goal to physicists; they simply exist in nature. The goal is rather to develop useful language and conceptual frameworks for reasoning and communicating. That understanding underpins all practical applications.

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Sciences don't have goals, people have goals and they differ. Some are fans of pure math as a kind of religious or almost erotic activity in elegance and beauty, others are application minded. Some are in it for the community and outreach and conferences, some are in it to just sit in an office alone and be left alone to do it in a zen like flow state all day and night. Some treat it as a 9-5 to pay the bills with a skill they happen to be fit for but aren't especially passionate about.

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