Single Idea 16918

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 1. Mathematics]

Full Idea

Mathematics cannot proceed analytically, namely by analysis of concepts, but only synthetically.

Gist of Idea

Mathematics cannot proceed just by the analysis of concepts

Source

Immanuel Kant (Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysic [1781], 284)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysic', ed/tr. Lucas,Peter G. [Manchester UP 1971], p.39


A Reaction

I'm with Kant insofar as I take mathematics to be about the world, no matter how rarefied and 'abstract' it may become.

Related Idea

Idea 16916 A priori synthetic knowledge is only of appearances, not of things in themselves [Kant]