Of marriage and mathematics: inferentialism and social ontology

Collin, J. H. (2023) Of marriage and mathematics: inferentialism and social ontology. Topoi, 42(1), pp. 247-257. (doi: 10.1007/s11245-022-09843-9)

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Abstract

The semantic inferentialist account of the social institution of semantic meaning can be naturally extended to account for social ontology. I argue here that semantic inferentialism provides a framework within which mathematical ontology can be understood as social ontology, and mathematical facts as socially instituted facts. I argue further that the semantic inferentialist framework provides resources to underpin at least some aspects of the objectivity of mathematics, even when the truth of mathematical claims is understood as socially instituted.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Collin, Dr James
Authors: Collin, J. H.
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy
Journal Name:Topoi
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0167-7411
ISSN (Online):1572-8749
Published Online:18 January 2023
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2023 The Authors
First Published:First published in Topoi 42(1): 247-257
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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