PHIL 380 - Philosophy of Mathematics

FDR: HU
Credits: 3
Planned Offering: Fall or Winter 2011-2012 and every third year.

This course is an introduction to the philosophy of mathematics. In it we investigate what (if anything) numbers are; how mathematics as a discipline relates to the sciences and humanities; whether mathematical truths are necessary, absolute, or permanent; and whether mathematical principles are invented or discovered - and if discovered where these principles exist. We start by reading a foundational work by Gottlob Frege, a philosopher-mathematician, and then read works by other philosophers. We conclude by reading works by other mathematicians Goldberg and Bourdon.