Philosophia Mathematica 10 (1):26-42 (2002)
Abstract |
This paper examines the problem of extending the programme of mathematical constructivism to applied mathematics. I am not concerned with the question of whether conventional mathematical physics makes essential use of the principle of excluded middle, but rather with the more fundamental question of whether the concept of physical infinity is constructively intelligible. I consider two kinds of physical infinity: a countably infinite constellation of stars and the infinitely divisible space-time continuum. I argue (contrary to Hellman) that these do not. pose any insuperable problem for constructivism, and that constructivism may have a useful new perspective to offer on physics.
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DOI | 10.1093/philmat/10.1.26 |
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References found in this work BETA
Inference to the Best Explanation.Peter Lipton - 1991 - London and New York: Routledge/Taylor and Francis Group.
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Citations of this work BETA
La Physique Dans la Recherche En Mathématiques Constructives.Vincent Ardourel - 2012 - Philosophia Scientae 16:183-208.
The Paradox of Phase Transitions in the Light of Constructive Mathematics.Pauline van Wierst - 2019 - Synthese 196 (5):1863-1884.
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