Bangu, Sorin (2018) Indispensability, causation and explanation. THEORIA. An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science, 33 (2). pp. 219-232. ISSN 2171-679X
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Abstract
When considering mathematical realism, some scientific realists reject it, and express sympathy for the opposite view, mathematical nominalism; moreover, many justify this option by invoking the causal inertness of mathematical objects. The main aim of this note is to show that the scientific realists’ endorsement of this causal mathematical nominalism is in tension with another position some (many?) of them also accept, the doctrine of methodological naturalism. By highlighting this conflict, I intend to tip the balance in favor of a rival of mathematical nominalism, the mathematical realist position supported by the ‘Indispensability Argument’ – but I do this indirectly, by showing that the road toward it is not blocked by considerations from causation.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
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| Additional Information: | ISSN: 0495-4548 (print) | ||||||
| Keywords: | mathematics, indispensability, realism, causation, explanation | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Mathematics > Explanation Specific Sciences > Mathematics > Ontology General Issues > Causation Specific Sciences > Mathematics |
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| Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email theoria@ehu.es | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 20 Jun 2018 17:59 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 20 Jun 2018 17:59 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 14793 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | THEORIA. An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science | ||||||
| Publisher: | Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea / Universidad del País Vasco | ||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.1387/theoria.17619 | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Mathematics > Explanation Specific Sciences > Mathematics > Ontology General Issues > Causation Specific Sciences > Mathematics |
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| Date: | May 2018 | ||||||
| Page Range: | pp. 219-232 | ||||||
| Volume: | 33 | ||||||
| Number: | 2 | ||||||
| ISSN: | 2171-679X | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14793 |
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