Analysis of the Modal Antirealism

• Authors: Krzysztof Wójtowicz

Title variants

PL

Analiza antyrealizmu modalnego

EN

Analysis of the Modal Antirealism

• Languages of publication: PL

Abstracts

PL

In the recent years we can observe a sort of renaissance of the philosophy of mathematics. More and more papers and books are published. A few years ago a new journal (Philosophia Mathematica) devoted exclusively to the philosophy of mathematics started appearing. In the contemporary discussions - especially in the context of the question of the applicability of mathematics to the description of the physical world - the issue of the existence and the ontological status of mathematical objects plays a particular role. Many new conceptions have appeared - both realistic and antirealistic. In the paper one of the antirealistic conceptions formulated in the recent years is presented - namely a conception by C. Chihara [1990]. The author rejects both Gödel's and Quine's arguments for the realistic standpoint. First, these standpoints will be briefly summarised, since they play a significant role in the contemporary philosophy of mathematics - and are particularly important in the context of the discussion upon Chihara's conception. Next, Chihara's arguments will be analysed in detail. As a result it will turn out that these arguments are not conclusive. Chihara's system relies on certain unjustified assumptions. Moreover, the philosophical difficulties that it encounters are not sufficiently discussed.

• Publisher: Uniwersytet Warszawski. Wydział Filozofii
• Journal: Filozofia Nauki
• Year: 2000
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 45-79

Dates

published

2000-06-01

Contributors

author

Krzysztof Wójtowicz