An Colyvan, Mark. creator text bibliography enk 2012 monographic eng

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ix, 188 pages ; 26 cm. "This introduction to the philosophy of mathematics focuses on contemporary debates in an important and central area of philosophy. The reader is taken on a fascinating and entertaining journey through some intriguing mathematical and philosophical territory, including such topics as the realism/anti-realism debate in mathematics, mathematical explanation, the limits of mathematics, the significance of mathematical notation, inconsistent mathematics and the applications of mathematics. Each chapter has a number of discussion questions and recommended further reading from both the contemporary literature and older sources. Very little mathematical background is assumed and all of the mathematics encountered is clearly introduced and explained using a wide variety of examples. The book is suitable for an undergraduate course in philosophy of mathematics and, more widely, for anyone interested in philosophy and mathematics"-- Machine generated contents note: 1. Mathematics and its philosophy; 2. The limits of mathematics; 3. Plato's heaven; 4. Fiction, metaphor, and partial truths; 5. Mathematical explanation; 6. The applicability of mathematics; 7. Who's afraid of inconsistent mathematics?; 8. A rose by any other name; 9. Epilogue: desert island theorems. Mark Colyvan, University of Sydney. Includes bibliographical references and index. Mathematics Philosophy SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects QA8.4 .C654 2012 510.1 CMI SCI075000 9780521826020 (hardback) 9780521533416 (paperback) 2012007499 http://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/26020/cover/9780521826020.jpg http://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/26020/cover/9780521826020.jpg DLC 120221 20150408114205.0 17174902 eng