Journal article 11 views
Good weasel hunting
Rob Fraser 
,
David Liggins
,
David Liggins
Synthese, Volume: 192, Issue: 10, Pages: 3397 - 3412
Swansea University Author:
Rob Fraser
Full text not available from this repository: check for access using links below.
DOI (Published version): 10.1007/s11229-015-0711-7
Abstract
The ‘indispensability argument’ for the existence of mathematical objects appeals to the role mathematics plays in science. In a series of publications, Joseph Melia has offered a distinctive reply to the indispensability argument. The purpose of this paper is to clarify Melia’s response to the indi...
| Published in: | Synthese |
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| ISSN: | 0039-7857 1573-0964 |
| Published: |
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
2015
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68381 |
| Abstract: |
The ‘indispensability argument’ for the existence of mathematical objects appeals to the role mathematics plays in science. In a series of publications, Joseph Melia has offered a distinctive reply to the indispensability argument. The purpose of this paper is to clarify Melia’s response to the indispensability argument and to advise Melia and his critics on how best to carry forward the debate. We will begin by presenting Melia’s response and diagnosing some recent misunderstandings of it. Then we will discuss four avenues for replying to Melia. We will argue that the three replies pursued in the literature so far are unpromising. We will then propose one new reply that is much more powerful, and—in the light of this—advise participants in the debate where to focus their energies. |
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| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Issue: |
10 |
| Start Page: |
3397 |
| End Page: |
3412 |