Single Idea 10552

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

Full Idea

From the intuitionist point of view natural numbers are mental constructions, so their totality is only potential, but it is neverthless a fully determinate totality.

Gist of Idea

Intuitionism says that totality of numbers is only potential, but is still determinate

Source

Michael Dummett (Frege Philosophy of Language (2nd ed) [1973], Ch.14)

Book Reference

Dummett,Michael: 'Frege Philosophy of Language' [Duckworth 1981], p.507


A Reaction

This could only be if the means of constructing the numbers was fully determinate, so how does that situation come about?