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Logic and Foundations of Mathematics Commons

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Philosophy of Science

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Full-Text Articles in Logic and Foundations of Mathematics

Why Are They Called Real Numbers If They Aren’T Real, And Other Such Questions?, Rahmat Rashid Jan 2022

Why Are They Called Real Numbers If They Aren’T Real, And Other Such Questions?, Rahmat Rashid

Honors Program Theses

This thesis studies the position of mathematical realism (the position that mathematical objects have ontological status) through history, starting with Pythagoras up until W.V.O Quine, and examining how these positions originate from each other. I hope to see how the position has changed and why, and provide an argument against the strongest of the realist positions, drawing on this extensive background. Finally, I advance my own argument against the strongest arguments for mathematical realism, and propose alternatives to a view of mathematical realism.


The Quantum Dialectic, Logan Kelley May 2011

The Quantum Dialectic, Logan Kelley

Pitzer Senior Theses

A philosophic account of quantum physics. The thesis is divided into two parts. Part I is dedicated to laying the groundwork of quantum physics, and explaining some of the primary difficulties. Subjects of interest will include the principle of locality, the quantum uncertainty principle, and Einstein's criterion for reality. Quantum dilemmas discussed include the double-slit experiment, observations of spin and polarization, EPR, and Bell's theorem. The first part will argue that mathematical-physical descriptions of the world fall short of explaining the experimental observations of quantum phenomenon. The problem, as will be argued, is framework of the physical descriptive schema. Part …