1st Edition

Platonism, Naturalism, and Mathematical Knowledge

By James Robert Brown Copyright 2012
206 Pages 5 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

206 Pages 5 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

194 Pages 5 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

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... Read more

Preface  1. Mathematical Explanation  2. What is Naturalism?  3. Perception, Practice, and Ideal Agents: Kitcher’s Naturalism  4. Just Metaphor?: Lakoff’s Language  5. Semi-Naturalists and Reluctant Realists  6. A Life of its Own?: Maddy and Mathematical Autonomy  7. Seeing with the Mind’s Eye: The Platonist Alternative  8. Afterword

Biography

James Robert Brown is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto.  His interests include foundational issues in mathematics and physics, thought experiments, and the relations of science to society. Recent books include: Who Rules? An Opinionated Guide to the Epistemology and Politics of the Science Wars, Harvard, and new editions of The Laboratory of the Mind: Thought Experiments in the Natural Sciences, Routledge, and Philosophy of Mathematics: An Introduction to the World of Proofs and Pictures, Routledge.