Naturalising mathematics: a critical look at the Quine-Maddy debate

• Autores: Marianna Antonutti Marfori
• Localización: Disputatio, ISSN-e 0873-626X, Vol. 4, Nº. 32, 2012, págs. 323-342
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This paper considers Madd'�s strategy for naturalising mathematics in the context of Quine�s scientific naturalism. The aim of this proposal is to account for the acceptability of mathematics on scientific grounds without committing to revisionism about mathematical practice entailed by the Quine-Putnam indispensability argument. It has been argued that Maddy�s mathematical naturalism makes inconsistent assumptions on the role of mathematics in scientific explanations to the effect that it cannot distinguish mathematics from pseudo-science. I shall clarify Maddy's arguments and show that the objection can be overcome. I shall then reformulate a novel version of the objection and consider a possible answer, and I shall conclude that mathematical naturalism does not ultimately provide a viable strategy for accommodating an anti-revisionary stance on mathematics within a Quinean naturalist framework.