Central and East European
Society for Phenomenology

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237601

Confirming mathematical theories

an ontologically agnostic stance

Anthony F. Peressini

pp. 257-277

Abstract

The Quine/Putnam indispensability approach to the confirmation of mathematical theories in recent times has been the subject of significant criticism. In this paper I explore an alternative to the Quine/Putnam indispensability approach. I begin with a van Fraassen-like distinction between accepting the adequacy of a mathematical theory and believing in the truth of a mathematical theory. Finally, I consider the problem of moving from the adequacy of a mathematical theory to its truth. I argue that the prospects for justifying this move are qualitatively worse in mathematics than they are in science.

Publication details

Published in:

(1999) Synthese 118 (2).

Pages: 257-277

DOI: 10.1023/A:1005158202218

Full citation:

Peressini Anthony F. (1999) „Confirming mathematical theories: an ontologically agnostic stance“. Synthese 118 (2), 257–277.