The Question of Method

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The Making of Mathematics

Part of the book series: Synthese Library ((SYLI,volume 448))

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Abstract

An essential aspect of the contrast between mainstream philosophy of mathematics and heuristic philosophy of mathematics concerns the method of mathematics. According to the former, the method of mathematics is the axiomatic method, according to the latter, the method of mathematics is the analytic method. So the question of method is a central element of distinction in the philosophy of mathematics. The question of method is important, not only for the philosophy of mathematics, but for mathematics itself. Despite this, attention to the question of method has declined in the last three centuries. In particular, in the last century, several arguments have been used to deny that there is a method of discovery, and even that there is a method at all. The chapter examines these arguments and finds them wanting, then it reasserts the importance of method.

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Cellucci, C. (2022). The Question of Method. In: The Making of Mathematics. Synthese Library, vol 448. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89731-4_4

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