Lectures on the Philosophy of Mathematics
Description
An introduction to the philosophy of mathematics grounded in mathematics and motivated by mathematical inquiry and practice.
In this book, Joel David Hamkins offers an introduction to the philosophy of mathematics that is grounded in mathematics and motivated by mathematical inquiry and practice. He treats philosophical issues as they arise organically in mathematics, discussing such topics as platonism, realism, logicism, structuralism, formalism, infinity, and intuitionism in mathematical contexts. He organizes the book by mathematical themes--numbers, rigor, geometry, proof, computability, incompleteness, and set theory--that give rise again and again to philosophical considerations.
Praise for Lectures on the Philosophy of Mathematics
“[E]ven readers who are already familiar with the mathematical topics will find Hamkins’s philosophical discussions stimulating and thought-provoking....written in an engaging, conversational style, with numerous well-drawn figures....The book can serve as an interesting and enjoyable introduction...for a wide range of readers.”
—Notices of the American Mathematical Society