The Reality of Numbers

A Physicalist's Philosophy of Mathematics

Inbunden, Engelska, 1988

1 757 kr

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Beskrivning

This book casts new light on mathematics through its consideration of metaphysical materialism. The author identifies natural, real and imaginary numbers and sets with specified physical properties and relations.However sets are construed numbers are not sets. Sets are important simply because they instantiate all the numbers and all the other properties and relations studied in mathematics. Set theory tempts us into misunderstanding the nature of mathematics; Bigelow challenges the myth that mathematical objects can be defined into existence. By reconstruing numbers as real, non-linguistic, physical properties or relations, mathematics can be drawn back from its sterile, abstract exile into the midst of the physical world to which we belong.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:1988-07-14
Mått:144 x 224 x 16 mm
Vikt:405 g
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:208
Förlag:Clarendon Press
ISBN:9780198249573

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Recensioner i media

'This book is written with obvious enthusiasm and a deep, and frequently expressed, conviction of the essential correctness of the view it seeks to promote.'Bob Hale, University of St Andrews. THES

Innehållsförteckning

Part I - Metaphysics contains chapter on:Mathematics and universals; RecurrencePart II - Mathematics contains chapters on:Natural Numbers - Pebbles and Pythagoras; Numbers as properties; Numbers as paradigms; Numbers as relations; Numbering setsReal Numbers - Approximations; Arithmetic and Geometry; Proportions; Ratios; Real NumbersComplex Numbers - Imaginary numbers; Complex proportionsSets - From universals to sets; Sets and Essences; Sets and ConsistencyPart III - Truth and Existence contains chapters on:The Problem - Functions and arguments; Truth and essence; The Fox paradoxWholes and Parts - Counterparts and accidents; Property-instances; Robinson's merger; States of affairsAnyhow to Something - Categories of being; The second-order Fox; Platonism and necessity.

377 kr

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