Platonism, Naturalism, and Mathematical Knowledge

James Robert Brown is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto. 　His interests include foundational issues in mathematics and physics, thought experiments, and the relations of science to society. Recent books include: Who Rules? An Opinionated Guide to the Epistemology and Politics of the Science Wars, Harvard, and new editions of The Laboratory of the Mind: Thought Experiments in the Natural Sciences,　Routledge, and Philosophy of Mathematics: An Introduction to the World of Proofs and Pictures, Routledge.

Preface 1. Mathematical Explanation 2. What is Naturalism? 3. Perception, Practice, and Ideal Agents: Kitcher’s Naturalism 4. Just Metaphor?: Lakoff’s Language 5. Seeing with the Mind’s Eye: The Platonist Alternative 6. Semi-Naturalists and Reluctant Realists 7. A Life of its Own?: Maddy and Mathematical Autonomy 8. Afterword