“The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics”: A Universal Language of Contact?

In this essay we argue that the expectation that mathematics can serve as a universal foundation and conceptual framework for communication can be based on some implicit anthropocentric assumptions. In our view, the formation of foundations of mathematical thinking, including arithmetic and geometry can be determined to a large extent if not entirely, by the environment and the means of perception and processing of the sensory information about it, and for these reasons can be species-dependent and to a large degree, specific. The conclusion of this analysis is a form of semantic relativism in communication: that no absolute and universal frame of reference may exist for species attempting communication; and therefore, the success of such attempts is determined by finding or establishing a common conceptual frame of reference that is relative to them and specific to them.