Cart
Free Shipping in Australia
Proud to be B-Corp

A Structural Account of Mathematics Charles S. Chihara (Department of Philosophy, University of California, Berkeley)

A Structural Account of Mathematics By Charles S. Chihara (Department of Philosophy, University of California, Berkeley)

A Structural Account of Mathematics by Charles S. Chihara (Department of Philosophy, University of California, Berkeley)


$335.99
Condition - New
Only 2 left

Summary

Charles Chihara's book develops a structural view of the nature of mathematics, and uses it to explain a number of striking features of mathematics that have puzzled philosophers for centuries. He also advances several new ways of undermining the Platonic view of mathematics.

A Structural Account of Mathematics Summary

A Structural Account of Mathematics by Charles S. Chihara (Department of Philosophy, University of California, Berkeley)

Charles Chihara's new book develops and defends a structural view of the nature of mathematics, and uses it to explain a number of striking features of mathematics that have puzzled philosophers for centuries. The view is used to show that, in order to understand how mathematical systems are applied in science and everyday life, it is not necessary to assume that its theorems either presuppose mathematical objects or are even true. Chihara builds upon his previous work, in which he presented a new system of mathematics, the constructibility theory, which did not make reference to, or presuppose, mathematical objects. Now he develops the project further by analysing mathematical systems currently used by scientists to show how such systems are compatible with this nominalistic outlook. He advances several new ways of undermining the heavily discussed indispensability argument for the existence of mathematical objects made famous by Willard Quine and Hilary Putnam. And Chihara presents a rationale for the nominalistic outlook that is quite different from those generally put forward, which he maintains have led to serious misunderstandings. A Structural Account of Mathematics will be required reading for anyone working in this field.

A Structural Account of Mathematics Reviews

This terrific contribution will promote discussion for and against its views. It has unusually full discussion of what makes philosophy of mathematics. It engages in extensive debates with other philosophers. And it has a wide range of examples from pure and applied mathematics. * Colin McLarty, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *

Table of Contents

Introduction ; 1. Five Puzzles in Search of an Explanation ; 2. Geometry and Mathematical Existence ; 3. The Van Inwagen Puzzle ; 4. Structuralism ; 5. Platonism ; 6. Minimal Anti-Nominalism ; 7. The Constructibility Theory ; 8. Constructible Structures ; 9. Applications ; 10. If-Thenism ; 11. Field's Account of Mathematics and Metalogic ; Appendix A: Some Doubts about Hellman's Views ; Appendix B: Balaguer's Fictionalism

Additional information

NPB9780199267538
9780199267538
0199267537
A Structural Account of Mathematics by Charles S. Chihara (Department of Philosophy, University of California, Berkeley)
New
Hardback
Oxford University Press
2003-11-20
394
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a new book - be the first to read this copy. With untouched pages and a perfect binding, your brand new copy is ready to be opened for the first time

Customer Reviews - A Structural Account of Mathematics