Philosophy of mathematics [electronic resource] / ed. by Andrew Irvine

Published:: Amsterdam ; Heidelberg : Elsevier, 2007.
Physical Description:: 200 pages
Additional Creators:: Irvine, Andrew D. and ScienceDirect (Online service)

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ScienceDirect: ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu , An electronic book accessible through the World Wide Web; click for information

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Series:

Handbook of the philosophy of science ; [4].

Contents:

1. The Foundations of Mathematics (W.D. Hart) -- 2. Realism (Mark Balaguer) -- 3. Aristotelian Realism (James Franklin) -- 4. Empiricism (David Bostock) -- 5. Kantianism (Mary Tiles) -- 6. Logism (Jaakko Hintikka) -- 7. Formalism (Peter Simons) -- 8. Constructivism (David McCarty) -- 9. Fictionalism (Daniel Bonevac) -- 10. Structuralism (Fraser MacBride) -- 11. Set Theory from Cantor to Cohen (Akihiro Kanamori) -- 12. Alternative Set Theories (Peter Apostoli, Roland Hinnion, Akira Kanda & Thierry Libert) -- 13. Philosophies of Probability (Jon Williamson) -- 14. Computability (Wilfried Sieg) -- 15. Inconsistent Mathematics (Chris Mortensen) -- 16. Mathematics and the World (Mark Colyvan).

Summary:

One of the most striking features of mathematics is the fact that we are much more certain about the mathematical knowledge we have than about what mathematical knowledge is knowledge of. Are numbers, sets, functions and groups physical entities of some kind? Are they objectively existing objects in some non-physical, mathematical realm? Are they ideas that are present only in the mind? Or do mathematical truths not involve referents of any kind? It is these kinds of questions that have encouraged philosophers and mathematicians alike to focus their attention on issues in the philosophy of mathematics. Over the centuries a number of reasonably well-defined positions about the nature of mathematics have been developed and it is these positions (both historical and current) that are surveyed in the current volume. Traditional theories (Platonism, Aristotelianism, Kantianism), as well as dominant modern theories (logicism, formalism, constructivism, fictionalism, etc.), are all analyzed and evaluated. Leading-edge research in related fields (set theory, computability theory, probability theory, paraconsistency) is also discussed. The result is a handbook that not only provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments but that also serves as an indispensable resource for anyone wanting to learn about current developments in the philosophy of mathematics.

Subject(s):

Mathematics—Philosophy

ISBN:

9780444515551
0444515550

Note:

AVAILABLE ONLINE TO AUTHORIZED PSU USERS.

Reproduction Note:

Electronic reproduction. Amsterdam : Elsevier Science & Technology, 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web. System requirements: Web browser. Title from title screen (viewed on Aug. 7, 2009). Access may be restricted to users at subscribing institutions.

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