Central and East European
Society for Phenomenology

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235535

Optimus prime

paraphrasing prime number talk

Jonathan Tallant

pp. 2065-2083

Abstract

Baker (Mind 114:223–238, 2005; Brit J Philos Sci 60:611–633, 2009) has recently defended what he calls the “enhanced” version of the indispensability argument for mathematical Platonism. In this paper I demonstrate that the nominalist can respond to Baker’s argument. First, I outline Baker’s argument in more detail before providing a nominalistically acceptable paraphrase of prime-number talk. Second, I argue that, for the nominalist, mathematical language is used to express physical facts about the world. In endorsing this line I follow moves made by Saatsi (Brit J Philos Sci 62(1):143–154, 2011). But, unlike Saatsi, I go on to argue that the nominalist requires a paraphrase of prime-number talk, for otherwise we lack an account of what that ‘physical fact’ is in the case of mathematics that seemingly makes reference to prime numbers.

Publication details

Published in:

(2013) Synthese 190 (12).

Pages: 2065-2083

DOI: 10.1007/s11229-011-9959-8

Full citation:

Tallant Jonathan (2013) „Optimus prime: paraphrasing prime number talk“. Synthese 190 (12), 2065–2083.