The applicability of mathematics in science: indispensability and ontology
Bangu, Sorin
Do electrons and genes exist?. If inclined to answer 'yes', let's ask a harder question: do numbers exist?. This book argues that the answer should be, again, affirmative. It elaborates a philosophical position according to which all, and only, entities truly indispensable to the formulation of modern scientific theories should be recognized as existent, regardless of how we might be initially tempted to categorize them - as concrete-physical or abstract-mathematical. In addition to explicating the subtleties of the positive reasons supporting this form of realism, the book clarifies and rebuts a variety of objections raised against this position. INDICE: Series Editor's Preface.Acknowledgements.Introduction: The Question.PART I: NATURALISM, INDISPENSABILITY AND POSIT REALISM.Naturalism: Science as the Measure of All Things.Holism.Posit Realism.PART II: THE VANTAGE POINT: MATHEMATICS IN SCIENCE.Standard and Non-Standard Applications.Mathematics and Scientific Discovery.Wigner's Puzzle Revisited.PART III: EXPLANATION AND MATHEMATICAL REALISM.Inference to the Best Mathematical Explanation.Explanation, Holism, and Ontological Commitment: The Objection from. Scientific Practice.Concluding remarks.Notes.Bibliography.
- ISBN: 978-0-230-28520-0
- Editorial: Palgrave Macmillan
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Páginas: 256
- Fecha Publicación: 21/09/2012
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Desconocido