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Optimisation and mathematical explanation
doing the Lévy walk
pp. 459-479
Abstract
The indispensability argument seeks to establish the existence of mathematical objects. The success of the indispensability argument turns on finding cases of genuine extra-mathematical explanation (the explanation of physical facts by mathematical facts). In this paper, I identify a new case of extra-mathematical explanation, involving the search patterns of fully-aquatic marine predators. I go on to use this case to predict the prevalence of extra-mathematical explanation in science.
Publication details
Published in:
(2014) Synthese 191 (3).
Pages: 459-479
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-013-0284-2
Full citation:
Baron Sam (2014) „Optimisation and mathematical explanation: doing the Lévy walk“. Synthese 191 (3), 459–479.