This study addresses a central theme in current philosophy: Platonism vs Naturalism and provides accounts of both approaches to mathematics, crucially discussing Quine, Maddy, Kitcher, Lakoff, Colyvan, and many others. Beginning with accounts of both approaches, Brown defends Platonism by arguing that only a Platonistic approach can account for concept acquisition in a number of special cases in the sciences. He also argues for a particular view of applied mathematics, a view that supports Platonism against Naturalist alternatives. Not only does this engaging book present the Platonist-Naturalist debate over mathematics in a comprehensive fashion, but it also sheds considerable light on non-mathematical aspects of a dispute that is central to contemporary philosophy.
Or split into 4x interest-free payments of 25% on orders over R50
Learn more
This study addresses a central theme in current philosophy: Platonism vs Naturalism and provides accounts of both approaches to mathematics, crucially discussing Quine, Maddy, Kitcher, Lakoff, Colyvan, and many others. Beginning with accounts of both approaches, Brown defends Platonism by arguing that only a Platonistic approach can account for concept acquisition in a number of special cases in the sciences. He also argues for a particular view of applied mathematics, a view that supports Platonism against Naturalist alternatives. Not only does this engaging book present the Platonist-Naturalist debate over mathematics in a comprehensive fashion, but it also sheds considerable light on non-mathematical aspects of a dispute that is central to contemporary philosophy.
Imprint | Routledge |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Series | Routledge Studies in the Philosophy of Science |
Release date | December 2011 |
Availability | Expected to ship within 12 - 17 working days |
First published | 2012 |
Authors | James Robert Brown |
Dimensions | 229 x 152 x 16mm (L x W x T) |
Format | Hardcover |
Pages | 194 |
ISBN-13 | 978-0-415-87266-9 |
Barcode | 9780415872669 |
Categories | |
LSN | 0-415-87266-9 |