Can Arguments of Formal Naturalism be used to Show that the Mathematical Explanation is Indispensable in Science? Cover Image

Može li se argumentima formalnog naturalizma pokazati je li matematičko objašnjenje neizostavno u znanosti?
Can Arguments of Formal Naturalism be used to Show that the Mathematical Explanation is Indispensable in Science?

Author(s): Vladimir Drekalović
Subject(s): Logic, Ancient Philosphy, Philosophy of Science
Published by: Hrvatsko Filozofsko Društvo
Keywords: mathematical platonism; mathematical explanation; Enhanced indispensability argument; naturalism; Henri Galinon;

Summary/Abstract: In the philosophy of mathematics, it is well known that the Platonists support the view of the existence of mathematical objects. The so-called Enhanced indispensability argument – EIA, recently explicitly formulated by Alan Baker in the form of modal syllogisms, can be understood as an attempt to support this Platonic view. this argument has recently caused a unmber of different reactions. A small number of analyses supported the argument or any of its parts. We will single out exactly one such analysis which supports the second premise of the EIA. It is a naturalistic approach to the role and indispensability of mathematical explanation in science. We will try to show that this attempt to defend the said premise and hence the EIA has several significant shortcomings due to which, it seems to us, it cannot serve as an additional argument in favour of the Platonists.

  • Issue Year: 36/2016
  • Issue No: 03/143
  • Page Range: 545-559
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Croatian