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Mathematical intuition vs. mathematical monsters

Solomon Feferman

pp. 317-332

Abstract

Geometrical and physical intuition, both untutored andcultivated, is ubiquitous in the research, teaching,and development of mathematics. A number ofmathematical ``monsters'', or pathological objects, havebeen produced which – according to somemathematicians – seriously challenge the reliability ofintuition. We examine several famous geometrical,topological and set-theoretical examples of suchmonsters in order to see to what extent, if at all,intuition is undermined in its everyday roles.

Publication details

Published in:

(2000) Synthese 125 (3).

Pages: 317-332

DOI: 10.1023/A:1005223128130

Full citation:

Feferman Solomon (2000) „Mathematical intuition vs. mathematical monsters“. Synthese 125 (3), 317–332.