Single Idea 8466

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 10. Constructivism / b. Intuitionism]

Full Idea

Quine feels that the intuitionist's ontology of abstract objects is too slight to serve the needs of classical mathematics.

Gist of Idea

For Quine, intuitionist ontology is inadequate for classical mathematics

Source

report of Willard Quine (works [1961]) by Alex Orenstein - W.V. Quine Ch.3

Book Reference

Orenstein,Alex: 'W.V. Quine' [Princeton 2002], p.57


A Reaction

Quine, who devoted his life to the application of Ockham's Razor, decided that sets were an essential part of the ontological baggage (which made him, according to Orenstein, a 'reluctant Platonist'). Dummett defends intuitionism.