Single Idea 12387

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 4. Mathematical Empiricism / a. Mathematical empiricism]

Full Idea

Mathematical knowledge arises from rudimentary knowledge acquired by perception.

Gist of Idea

Mathematical knowledge arises from basic perception

Source

Philip Kitcher (The Nature of Mathematical Knowledge [1984], Intro)

Book Reference

Kitcher,Philip: 'The Nature of Mathematical Knowledge' [OUP 1984], p.5


A Reaction

This is an empiricist manifesto, which asserts his allegiance to Mill, and he gives a sophisticated account of how higher mathematics can be accounted for in this way. Well, he tries to.