Philosophy of Mathematics - (Princeton Foundations of Contemporary Philosophy) by Øystein Linnebo

Book Synopsis

A sophisticated, original introduction to the philosophy of mathematics from one of its leading thinkers

Mathematics is a model of precision and objectivity, but it appears distinct from the empirical sciences because it seems to deliver nonexperiential knowledge of a nonphysical reality of numbers, sets, and functions. How can these two aspects of mathematics be reconciled? This concise book provides a systematic, accessible introduction to the field that is trying to answer that question: the philosophy of mathematics. Øystein Linnebo, one of the world's leading scholars on the subject, introduces all of the classical approaches to the field as well as more specialized issues, including mathematical intuition, potential infinity, and the search for new mathematical axioms. Sophisticated but clear and approachable, this is an essential book for all students and teachers of philosophy and of mathematics.

From the Back Cover

"This is an excellent introduction to the philosophy of mathematics, with clear and careful coverage of both traditional topics and cutting-edge contemporary debates."--Roy T. Cook, University of Minnesota

"This is a good introduction to the philosophy of mathematics--clear and concise, and with original observations and a coherent point of view."--John P. Burgess, Princeton University

Review Quotes

"This is an excellent introduction to the philosophy of mathematics, with clear and careful coverage of both traditional topics and cutting-edge contemporary debates."--Roy T. Cook, University of Minnesota

"This book provides a nice lay of the land for anyone interested in contemporary philosophy of mathematics."---Gregory Lavers, Philosophy Mathematica

"[This book] is very, very good. Superbly clear, concise, well organised, it gives not only a very accessible introduction but also takes the reader all the way to the cutting edge of what philosophers are doing in the philosophy of mathematics. Above all, Linnebo writes as a fully engaged philosopher and makes his preferred choice of philosophical position clear. But this is no mere polemic: I felt he clearly and forcefully presents the strengths and weaknesses of all the philosophical positions he discusses."---Henri Laurie, Mathemafrica

"Linnebo's slender volume is an admirable addition to the many existing books on the philosophy of mathematics. It is clear, concise, and well written. . . . All in all, this is an excellent introduction to the philosophy of mathematics and should be seriously considered by any individual interested in the subject."--Choice

"This is a thought-provoking book, and is a useful addition to the textbook literature on this subject."--MAA Reviews

"This is a good introduction to the philosophy of mathematics--clear and concise, and with original observations and a coherent point of view."--John P. Burgess, Princeton University

About the Author

Øystein Linnebo is professor of philosophy at the University of Oslo. He is the author of Thin Objects: An Abstractionist Account and the coauthor (with Salvatore Florio) of The Many and the One: A Philosophical Study.