Physicalism in mathematics is a fruitful research program

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  • 実り豊かなリサーチプログラムとしての物理主義的数学論
  • ミノリ ユタカ ナ リサーチプログラム ト シテ ノ ブツリ シュギテキ スウ

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Abstract

Especially in Japan, physicalistic/nominalistic reinterpretation of mathematics is regarded as an attempt that has relevance, if any, only to a small group of “peculiar” philosophers and hence has no general significance to philosophy itself. My aim of the paper is to show that this reputation is ill-founded. Two main strategies for nominalization of mathematics, (i. e. Hartry Field's instrumentalist program and Geoffrey Hellman's modal-structuralist program) are examined. It is shown that both of these are fruitful research programs that will have a major influence on philosophy of science and language, even if they might prove to be unsuccessful in the end.

Journal

  • Philosophy (Tetsugaku)

    Philosophy (Tetsugaku) 1998 (49), 56-69, 1998-05-01

    The Philosophical Association of Japan

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