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Inference to the best explanation and mathematical realism
pp. 13-20
Abstract
Arguing for mathematical realism on the basis of Field’s explanationist version of the Quine–Putnam Indispensability argument, Alan Baker has recently claimed to have found an instance of a genuine mathematical explanation of a physical phenomenon. While I agree that Baker presents a very interesting example in which mathematics plays an essential explanatory role, I show that this example, and the argument built upon it, begs the question against the mathematical nominalist.
Publication details
Published in:
(2008) Synthese 160 (1).
Pages: 13-20
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-006-9070-8
Full citation:
Bangu Sorin (2008) „Inference to the best explanation and mathematical realism“. Synthese 160 (1), 13–20.