Volume 8 · Number 1 · Pages 126-128
The Game of Fictional Mathematics. Review of “Mathematics and Reality” by Mary Leng

Joachim Frans

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Abstract

Upshot: Leng attacks the indispensability argument for the existence of mathematical objects. She offers an account that treats the role of mathematics in science as an indispensable and useful part of theories, but retains nonetheless a fictionalist position towards mathematics. The result is an account of mathematics that is interesting for constructivists. Her view towards the nominalistic part of science is, however, more in conflict with radical constructivism.

Citation

Frans J. (2012) The game of fictional mathematics. Review of “mathematics and reality” by mary leng. Constructivist Foundations 8(1): 126-128. http://constructivist.info/8/1/126

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References

Baker A. (2005) Are there genuine mathematical explanations of physical phenomena? Mind 114 (454): 223–238. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Colyvan M. (2003) The indispensability of mathematics. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Field H. (1980) Science without numbers. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
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Quale A. (2012) On the role of constructivism in mathematical epistemology. Constructivist Foundations 7(2): 104–111. http://www.univie.ac.at/constructivism/journal/7/2/104.quale
Walton K. (1990) Mimesis as make-believe: On the foundations of the representational arts. Harvard University Press, Cambridge. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar

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