[FOM] Which is clearer, "integer" or "symbol"?

[Hendrik Boom]

On Sun, Jan 02, 2011 at 01:32:45PM -0500, Timothy Y. Chow wrote:
> It is my impression that, at least among people without formal training in 
> logic and foundations, there has been a gradual shift over time from the 
> point of view that an "integer" is the clearest mathematical concept, to 
> the point of view that a "symbol" is the clearest mathematical concept.  
> I am wondering if other FOM readers have a similar impression, and if so, 
> whether any solid historical evidence can be accumulated in support of 
> my claim.

This may because the advent of Lisp way back in the 60's have introduced 
a large audience to elementary recursion theory in a way that uses words 
as symbols and avoids using integers as godel numbers entirely.

-- hendrik