ENGLISH

Platonism and anti-Platonism in mathematics

By Mark Balaguer

Book information

Publisher
Oxford University Press, USA
Year
2001
ISBN
9780195143980, 0195143981, 0195122305, 9780195122305
LCC
QA8.4 .B345 1998
Open Library ID
OL686197M
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
15 MB (15317020 bytes)
Pages
229\229
Scanned
no
Time added
2009-08-06 05:14:26

Description

In this highly absorbing work, Balaguer demonstrates that no good arguments exist either for or against mathematical platonism-for example, the view that abstract mathematical objects do exist and that mathematical theories are descriptions of such objects. Balaguer does this by establishing that both platonism and anti-platonism are justifiable views. Introducing a form of platonism, called "full-blooded platonism," that solves all problems traditionally associated with the view, he proceeds to defend anti-platonism (in particular, mathematical fictionalism) against various attacks-most notably the Quine-Putnam indispensability attack. He concludes by arguing that it is not simply that we do not currently have any good arguments for or against platonism but that we could never have such an argument. This lucid and accessible book breaks new ground in its area of engagement and makes vital reading for both specialists and all those intrigued by the philosophy of mathematics, or metaphysics in general.

Similar books