Park, Seungbae (2019) Can Mathematical Objects Be Causally Efficacious?

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Abstract

Callard (2007) argues that it is metaphysically possible that a mathematical object, although abstract, causally affects the brain. I raise the following objections. First, a successful defence of mathematical realism requires not merely the metaphysical possibility but rather the actuality that a mathematical object affects the brain. Second, mathematical realists need to confront a set of three pertinent issues: why a mathematical object does not affect other concrete objects and other mathematical objects, what counts as a mathematical object, and how we can have knowledge about an unchanging object.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Park, Seungbae
Keywords:	Mathematical Causalism, Mathematical Object, Mathematical Realism
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Mathematics > Epistemology Specific Sciences > Mathematics > Ontology
Depositing User:	Dr. Seungbae Park
Date Deposited:	21 Jan 2019 01:09
Last Modified:	21 Jan 2019 01:09
Item ID:	15642
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Mathematics > Epistemology Specific Sciences > Mathematics > Ontology
Date:	2019
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15642

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