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Realism in Mathematics Penelope Maddy (Professor of Philosophy, Professor of Philosophy, University of California, Irvine)

Realism in Mathematics By Penelope Maddy (Professor of Philosophy, Professor of Philosophy, University of California, Irvine)

Summary

This monograph develops and defends a novel version of mathematical realism - the view that to engage in mathematics is to investigate the features of real mathematical things - and refocuses philosophical attention on the pressing foundational issues of contemporary mathematics.

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Realism in Mathematics Summary

Realism in Mathematics by Penelope Maddy (Professor of Philosophy, Professor of Philosophy, University of California, Irvine)

When engaged in mathematics, most people tend to think of themselves as scientists investigating the features of real mathematical things, and the wildly successful application of mathematics in the physical sciences reinforces this picture of mathematics as an objective study. For philosophers, however, this realism about mathematics raises serious questions: What are mathematical things? Where are they? How do we know about them? Penelope Maddy delineates and defends a novel version of mathematical realism that answers the traditional questions and refocuses philosophical attention on the pressing foundational issues of contemporary mathematics.

Realism in Mathematics Reviews

She has ... clearly marked out an original and interesting position. * Times Higher Education Supplement *
the book is written in a lively, engaging style. We hope that it serves to stimulate others to think seriously about issues in philosophy of mathematics because, as Maddy claims, these issues bear directly on mainstream philosophy. * Philosophy of Science *

Table of Contents

Realism: Pre-theoretic realism; Realism in philosophy; Realism and truth; Realism in mathematics; Perception and intuition: What is the question?; Perception; Intuition; Godelian Platonism; Numbers: What numbers could not be; Numbers as properties; Frege numbers; Axioms: Reals and sets of reals; Axiomization; Open problems; Competing theories; The challenge; Monism and beyond: Monism; Field's nominalism; Structuralism; Summary; References; Index.

Additional information

CIN019824035XG
9780198240358
019824035X
Realism in Mathematics by Penelope Maddy (Professor of Philosophy, Professor of Philosophy, University of California, Irvine)
Used - Good
Paperback
Oxford University Press
19920903
216
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

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