Stock photo
Stock photo
Thinking about Mathematics : The Philosophy of Mathematics by Stewart Shapiro (2000, Trade Paperback)
ThriftBooks (3880386)
99% positive feedback
Price:
US $38.44
ApproximatelyRM 165.90
+ $11.41 shipping
Returns:
No returns, but backed by .
Condition:
Oops! Looks like we're having trouble connecting to our server.
Refresh your browser window to try again.
About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherOxford University Press, Incorporated
ISBN-100192893068
ISBN-139780192893062
eBay Product ID (ePID)1678192
Product Key Features
Number of Pages328 Pages
LanguageEnglish
Publication NameThinking about Mathematics : the Philosophy of Mathematics
SubjectHistory & Philosophy, Logic
Publication Year2000
TypeTextbook
AuthorStewart Shapiro
Subject AreaMathematics, Philosophy
FormatTrade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Height0.7 in
Item Weight13.5 Oz
Item Length8.4 in
Item Width5.4 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
LCCN00-038599
Dewey Edition21
Reviews"Stewart Shapiro admirably provides an accessible introduction to contemporary thinking in mathematics, while avoiding caricature of the technicalities. His ease with the subject and lucid style makes this book a succinct introduction to a fascinating intellectual discipline." Times Literary Supplement
IllustratedYes
Dewey Decimal510/.1
Table Of ContentPart I. PerspectiveChapter 1. What is so interesting about mathematics (for philosopher)?Chapter 2. A Potpourri of questions and attempted answersPart II. HistoryChapter 3. Plato's Rationalism, and AristotleChapter 4. Near opposites: Kant and MillPart III. The big threeChapter 5. Logicism: Is mathematics (just) logic?Chapter 6. Formalism: Do mathematical statements mean anything?Chapter 7. Intuitionism: is something wrong with our logic?Part IV. The contemporary sceneChapter 8. Numbers existChapter 9. No they don'tChapter 10. StructuralismReferencesIndex
SynopsisThinking about Mathematics covers the range of philosophical issues and positions concerning mathematics. The text describes the questions about mathematics that motivated philosophers throughout history and covers historical figures such as Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and Mill. It also presents the major positions and arguments concerning mathematics throughout the twentieth century, bringing the reader up to the present positions and battle lines., This unique text by Stewart Shapiro looks at a range of philosophical issues and positions concerning mathematics in four comprehensive sections. The first describes questions and issues about mathematics that have motivated philosophers almost since the beginning of intellectual history. Part II is an historical survey, discussing the role of mathematics in such thinkers as Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and Mill. The third section covers the three major positions, and battle lines, throughout the twentieth century: that mathematics is logic (logicism), that the essence of mathematics is the rule-governed manipulation of characters (formalism), and a revisionist philosophy that focuses on the mental activity of mathematics (intuitionism). Finally, Part IV looks at contemporary positions and work which brings the reader up-to-date on the discipline. Thinking about Mathematics is accessible to those with little background in either mathematics or philosophy. It is aimed at students and professionals in mathematics who have little contact with academic philosophy and at philosophy students and other philosophers who forgot much of their mathematics., This unique book by Stewart Shapiro looks at a range of philosophical issues and positions concerning mathematics in four comprehensive sections. Part I describes questions and issues about mathematics that have motivated philosophers since the beginning of intellectual history. Part II is an historical survey, discussing the role of mathematics in the thought of such philosophers as Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and Mill. Part III covers the three major positions held throughout the twentieth century: the idea that mathematics is logic (logicism), the view that the essence of mathematics is the rule-governed manipulation of characters (formalism), and a revisionist philosophy that focuses on the mental activity of mathematics (intuitionism). Finally, Part IV brings the reader up-to-date with a look at contemporary developments within the discipline. This sweeping introductory guide to the philosophy of mathematics makes these fascinating concepts accessible to those with little background in either mathematics or philosophy.
LC Classification NumberQA8.4.S532 2000
Be the first to write a review
