What anti-realism in philosophy of mathematics must offer
pp. 13-31
Abstract
This article attempts to motivate a new approach to anti-realism (or nominalism) in the philosophy of mathematics. I will explore the strongest challenges to anti-realism, based on sympathetic interpretations of our intuitions that appear to support realism. I will argue that the current anti-realistic philosophies have not yet met these challenges, and that is why they cannot convince realists. Then, I will introduce a research project for a new, truly naturalistic, and completely scientific approach to philosophy of mathematics. It belongs to anti-realism, but can meet those challenges and can perhaps convince some realists, at least those who are also naturalists.
Publication details
Published in:
Bai Tongdong (2010) Analytic philosophy in China. Synthese 175 (1).
Pages: 13-31
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-009-9535-7
Full citation:
Ye Feng (2010) „What anti-realism in philosophy of mathematics must offer“. Synthese 175 (1), 13–31.