Platonism and Anti-Platonism in Mathematics

A demonstration of the value of both platonism and anti-platonism in the solution of mathematical problems. The author solves the important problems associated with both of the views, and demonstrates that it is inherently impossible for us to have a valid argument for or against mathematical platonism.

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Balaguer demonstrates that there are no good arguments for or against mathematical platonism. He does this by establishing that both platonism and anti-platonism are defensible views. Introducing a form of platonism ("full-blooded platonism") that solves all problems traditionally associated with the view, he proceeds to defend anti-platonism (in particular, mathematical fictionalism) against various attacks, most notably the Quine-Putnam indispensability attack. He concludes by arguing that it is not simply that we do not currently have any good argument for or against platonism, but that we could never have such an argument and, indeed, that there is no fact of the matter as to whether platonism is correct.