Full Idea
Field argues that to account for the applicability of mathematics, we need to assume little more than the possibility of the mathematics, not its truth.
Gist of Idea
The application of mathematics only needs its possibility, not its truth
Source
report of Hartry Field (Science without Numbers [1980]) by Stewart Shapiro - Philosophy of Mathematics 7.2
Book Reference
Shapiro,Stewart: 'Philosophy of Mathematics:structure and ontology' [OUP 1997], p.223
A Reaction
Very persuasive. We can apply chess to real military situations, provided that chess isn't self-contradictory (or even naturally impossible?).