Journal article 12 views
Platonic Relations and Mathematical Explanations
Rob Fraser 
The Philosophical Quarterly, Volume: 71, Issue: 3, Pages: 623 - 644
Swansea University Author:
Rob Fraser
Full text not available from this repository: check for access using links below.
DOI (Published version): 10.1093/pq/pqaa053
Abstract
Some scientific explanations appear to turn on pure mathematical claims. The enhanced indispensability argument appeals to these ‘mathematical explanations’ in support of mathematical platonism. I argue that the success of this argument rests on the claim that mathematical explanations locate pure m...
| Published in: | The Philosophical Quarterly |
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| ISSN: | 0031-8094 1467-9213 |
| Published: |
Oxford University Press (OUP)
2021
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68389 |
| Abstract: |
Some scientific explanations appear to turn on pure mathematical claims. The enhanced indispensability argument appeals to these ‘mathematical explanations’ in support of mathematical platonism. I argue that the success of this argument rests on the claim that mathematical explanations locate pure mathematical facts on which their physical explananda depend, and that any account of mathematical explanation that supports this claim fails to provide an adequate understanding of mathematical explanation. |
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| Keywords: |
mathematical explanation, enhanced indispensability argument, mathematical platonism, ontic dependence, mathematical structuralism, underdetermination |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Funders: |
British Academy (pf160035) |
| Issue: |
3 |
| Start Page: |
623 |
| End Page: |
644 |