Single Idea 9649

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / K. Features of Logics / 1. Axiomatisation]

Full Idea

The three views one could adopt concerning axioms are that they are self-evident truths, or that they are arbitrary stipulations, or that they are fallible attempts to describe how things are.

Gist of Idea

Axioms are either self-evident, or stipulations, or fallible attempts

Source

James Robert Brown (Philosophy of Mathematics [1999], Ch.10)

Book Reference

Brown,James Robert: 'Philosophy of Mathematics' [Routledge 2002], p.170


A Reaction

Presumably modern platonists like the third version, with others choosing the second, and hardly anyone now having the confidence to embrace the first.