Description

Book Synopsis
The author identifies natural, real and imaginary numbers with specified physical properties and relations and challenges the myth that mathematical objects can be defined into existence.

Trade Review
'This book is written with obvious enthusiasm and a deep, and frequently expressed, conviction of the essential correctness of the view it seeks to promote.' Bob Hale, University of St Andrews. THES
'This is what philosophy ought to be: a grand vision combined with original and careful work on the details. It is presented with lucidity and modesty and good humour, and bedazzling technicalities. An admirable book.' David Lewis, Princeton University, Australasian Journal of Philosophy
'This is what philosophy ought to be: a grand vision combined with original and careful work on the details. It is presented with lucidity and modesty and good humour, and without bedazzling technicalities. An admirable book.' David Lewis, Princeton University, Australasian Journal of Philosophy

Table of Contents
Part I - Metaphysics contains chapter on: Mathematics and universals; Recurrence Part II - Mathematics contains chapters on: Natural Numbers - Pebbles and Pythagoras; Numbers as properties; Numbers as paradigms; Numbers as relations; Numbering sets Real Numbers - Approximations; Arithmetic and Geometry; Proportions; Ratios; Real Numbers Complex Numbers - Imaginary numbers; Complex proportions Sets - From universals to sets; Sets and Essences; Sets and Consistency Part III - Truth and Existence contains chapters on: The Problem - Functions and arguments; Truth and essence; The Fox paradox Wholes and Parts - Counterparts and accidents; Property-instances; Robinson's merger; States of affairs Anyhow to Something - Categories of being; The second-order Fox; Platonism and necessity.

Reality of Numbers A Physicalists Philosophy of Mathematics

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    A Hardback by John Bigelow

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      View other formats and editions of Reality of Numbers A Physicalists Philosophy of Mathematics by John Bigelow

      Publisher: Clarendon Press
      Publication Date: 7/14/1988 12:00:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9780198249573, 978-0198249573
      ISBN10: 0198249578

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      The author identifies natural, real and imaginary numbers with specified physical properties and relations and challenges the myth that mathematical objects can be defined into existence.

      Trade Review
      'This book is written with obvious enthusiasm and a deep, and frequently expressed, conviction of the essential correctness of the view it seeks to promote.' Bob Hale, University of St Andrews. THES
      'This is what philosophy ought to be: a grand vision combined with original and careful work on the details. It is presented with lucidity and modesty and good humour, and bedazzling technicalities. An admirable book.' David Lewis, Princeton University, Australasian Journal of Philosophy
      'This is what philosophy ought to be: a grand vision combined with original and careful work on the details. It is presented with lucidity and modesty and good humour, and without bedazzling technicalities. An admirable book.' David Lewis, Princeton University, Australasian Journal of Philosophy

      Table of Contents
      Part I - Metaphysics contains chapter on: Mathematics and universals; Recurrence Part II - Mathematics contains chapters on: Natural Numbers - Pebbles and Pythagoras; Numbers as properties; Numbers as paradigms; Numbers as relations; Numbering sets Real Numbers - Approximations; Arithmetic and Geometry; Proportions; Ratios; Real Numbers Complex Numbers - Imaginary numbers; Complex proportions Sets - From universals to sets; Sets and Essences; Sets and Consistency Part III - Truth and Existence contains chapters on: The Problem - Functions and arguments; Truth and essence; The Fox paradox Wholes and Parts - Counterparts and accidents; Property-instances; Robinson's merger; States of affairs Anyhow to Something - Categories of being; The second-order Fox; Platonism and necessity.

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