Central and East European
Society for Phenomenology

Repository | Book | Chapter

183300

Mathematical truth revisited

mathematics as a toolbox

Reinhard Kahle

pp. 395-406

Abstract

We discuss the notion of truth in Mathematics as relative to certain structures, very much in line with Bernays's conception of "bezogene Existenz". Looking to some concrete examples, we argue that even so-called non-standard structures may have their own rationale. As a result, and in accordance with Bourbaki , structures turn out to be tools and have to be judged with respect to their usefulness rather than with respect to a concept of mathematical truth simpliciter.

Publication details

Published in:

Agazzi Evandro (2017) Varieties of scientific realism: objectivity and truth in science. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 395-406

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-51608-0_22

Full citation:

Kahle Reinhard (2017) „Mathematical truth revisited: mathematics as a toolbox“, In: E. Agazzi (ed.), Varieties of scientific realism, Dordrecht, Springer, 395–406.