Beliefs about mathematical objects

Michael D. Resnik

pp. 41-71

in: Irvine (ed), Physicalism in mathematics, Berlin, Springer, 1990

Abstract

As a mathematical platonist, I hold that mathematical objects are causally inert and exist independently of us and our mental lives. This obliges me to explain how we can refer to such alien creatures and acquire knowledge and beliefs about them.¹ This paper is a piece of that larger project.