[FOM] Semantical realism without ontological realism in mathematics

[praatika@mappi.helsinki.fi]

The difference between "semantical realism" and "ontological realism" was 
expressed quite clearly also by Dummett in his "Realism and anti-realism", 
in his The Seas of Language, O.U.P, 1993.

He says that it is possible to be e.g. a neo-Fregean platonist about 
mathematical objects but nevertheless deny that they have any properties 
other than those we are capable of recognizing, and that it is also 
possible to be a Dedekindian who maintain that mathematical objects are 
free creations of human mind but may nevertheless have, once created, 
properties independently of our capacity to recognize them.    



Best

Panu


Panu Raatikainen

PhD., Docent in Theoretical Philosophy
Fellow, Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies
University of Helsinki
 
Address: 
Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies
P.O. Box 4
FIN-00014 University of Helsinki
Finland

E-mail: panu.raatikainen at helsinki.fi
 
http://www.helsinki.fi/collegium/eng/Raatikainen/raatikainen.htm