Single Idea 10181

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 7. Mathematical Structuralism / b. Varieties of structuralism]

Full Idea

According to 'pattern' structuralism, what we study are not the various particular isomorphic models of arithmetic, but something in addition to them: a corresponding pattern.

Gist of Idea

Pattern Structuralism studies what isomorphic arithmetic models have in common

Source

E Reck / M Price (Structures and Structuralism in Phil of Maths [2000], §7)


A Reaction

Put like that, we have to feel a temptation to wield Ockham's Razor. It's bad enough trying to give the structure of all the isomorphic models, without seeking an even more abstract account of underlying patterns. But patterns connect to minds..