
This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence. It is free to read at Oxford Scholarship Online and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations.Recently, debates about mathematical structuralism have picked up steam again within the philosophy of mathematics, probing ontological and epistemological issues in novel ways. These debates build on discussions of structuralism which began in the 1960s in the work of philosophers such as Paul Benacerraf and Hilary Putnam; going further than these previous thinkers, however, these new debates also recognize that the motivation for structuralist views should be tied to methodological developments within mathematics. In fact, practically all relevant ideas and methods have roots in the structuralist transformation that modern mathematics underwent in the 19th and early 20th centuries.This edited volume of new essays by top scholars in the philosophy of mathematics explores this previously overlooked 'pre-history' of mathematical structuralism. The contributors explore this historical background along two distinct but interconnected dimensions. First, they reconsider the methodological contributions of major figures in the history of mathematics, such as Dedekind, Hilbert, and Bourbaki, who are responsible for the introduction of new number systems, algebras, and geometries that transformed the landscape of mathematics. Second, they reexamine a range of philosophical reflections by mathematically inclined philosophers, like Russell, Cassirer, and Quine, whose work led to profound conclusions about logical, epistemological, and metaphysical aspects of structuralism.Overall, the essays in this volume show not only that the pre-history of mathematical structuralism is much richer than commonly appreciated, but also that it is crucial to take into account this broader intellectual history for enriching current debates in the philosophy of mathematics. The insights included in this volume will interest scholars and students in the philosophy of mathematics, the philosophy of science, and the history of philosophy.
This volume investigates the historical and methodological origins of mathematical structuralism to determine how 19th and 20th-century developments inform contemporary philosophical debates. Edited by Erich H. Reck and Georg Schiemer, the collection gathers essays from prominent scholars to trace the evolution of structuralist thought. The authors argue that current ontological and epistemological inquiries into mathematics are incomplete without an understanding of the foundational shifts initiated by figures like Dedekind, Hilbert, and Russell.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts identify this volume as a critical resource for understanding the intellectual lineage of modern mathematical philosophy. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for scholars and advanced students of logic and the philosophy of science.
Page Count:
468
Publication Date:
2020-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190090774
ISBN-13:
9780190090777
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