A ficitionalist approach to the ontology of mathematics

Mathematics is defined as the study and development of conceptual interpreted formal systems that are closed by deduction. These systems are not merely syntactic in the manner of logistic systems. They are interpreted, but their reference class is constituted by conceptual artifacts. Mathematical constructs are human-made creations that exist solely within the context of a specific formal system. Consequently, mathematics is devoid of any ontological import. The referents of mathematics cannot exist independently of the human mind. The theory is consistent with any general materialist worldview.

Publication Details

Journal
PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation)
Published
2025-01-01
Primary Topic
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
Type
article
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article

A ficitionalist approach to the ontology of mathematics

PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation)
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
article

A ficitionalist approach to the ontology of mathematics

article en

Abstract

Mathematics is defined as the study and development of conceptual interpreted formal systems that are closed by deduction. These systems are not merely syntactic in the manner of logistic systems. They are interpreted, but their reference class is constituted by conceptual artifacts. Mathematical constructs are human-made creations that exist solely within the context of a specific formal system. Consequently, mathematics is devoid of any ontological import. The referents of mathematics cannot exist independently of the human mind. The theory is consistent with any general materialist worldview.

PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation)
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Philosophy and Theoretical Science
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A ficitionalist approach to the ontology of mathematics · PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation) (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS