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Inference to the best explanation and mathematical realism

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Abstract

Arguing for mathematical realism on the basis of Field’s explanationist version of the Quine–Putnam Indispensability argument, Alan Baker has recently claimed to have found an instance of a genuine mathematical explanation of a physical phenomenon. While I agree that Baker presents a very interesting example in which mathematics plays an essential explanatory role, I show that this example, and the argument built upon it, begs the question against the mathematical nominalist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, University of Toronto, 1010-35 Charles St. West, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1R6, Canada

    Sorin Ioan Bangu

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  1. Sorin Ioan Bangu
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Correspondence to Sorin Ioan Bangu.

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Bangu, S.I. Inference to the best explanation and mathematical realism. Synthese 160, 13–20 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-006-9070-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-006-9070-8

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