Single Idea 10167

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 7. Mathematical Structuralism / a. Structuralism]

Full Idea

Structuralism has emerged from the development of abstract algebra (such as group theory), the creation of axiom systems, the introduction of set theory, and Bourbaki's encyclopaedic survey of set theoretic structures.

Clarification

[Bourbaki is a notably unusual mathematician - worth investigating!]

Gist of Idea

Structuralism emerged from abstract algebra, axioms, and set theory and its structures

Source

E Reck / M Price (Structures and Structuralism in Phil of Maths [2000], §2)


A Reaction

In other words, mathematics has gradually risen from one level of abstraction to the next, so that mathematical entities like points and numbers receive less and less attention, with relationships becoming more prominent.