Indispensability

The use of mathematics in science confirms its truth, leading to the Indispensability Argument, which argues that abstract mathematical objects such as numbers and sets exist. This Element explores the evolution of the Argument and its explanatory versions, focusing on fictionalism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Our most advanced scientific theories provide comprehensive explanations for a diverse array of empirical phenomena, exhibit remarkable predictive accuracy, and enjoy widespread acceptance. Given that numerous these theories extensively employ mathematics, it is not surprising to view them as corroborating the validity of mathematics itself. Moreover, the utilization of mathematics in scientific inquiry may even lead us to believe in the existence of abstract mathematical entities, such as numbers and sets. These fundamental questions form the core of the Indispensability Argument, which this Element is dedicated to exploring.

The Element's first half traces the evolution of the Indispensability Argument from its early roots in the works of Quine and Putnam, encompassing naturalism, confirmational holism, Field's program, and the use of idealizations in science. This section also delves into the historical context, including the influence of philosophers such as Descartes, Kant, and Leibniz on the development of the argument.

In the second half, the Element examines the explanatory version of the Indispensability Argument, focusing on recent developments in easy-road and hard-road fictionalism. It explores the arguments put forth by proponents of these positions and examines their implications for the understanding of scientific explanation. By examining these different perspectives, the Element provides a comprehensive exploration of the Indispensability Argument and its implications for the field of philosophy of science.

Weight: 112g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 5 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009096850