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Single Idea 17641

[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / e. Philosophy as reason ]

Full Idea

Any new discovery as to mathematical method and principles is likely to upset a great deal of otherwise plausible philosophising, as well as to suggest a new philosophy which will be solid in proportion as its foundations in mathematics are securely laid.

Gist of Idea

Discoveries in mathematics can challenge philosophy, and offer it a new foundation

Source

Bertrand Russell (Regressive Method for Premises in Mathematics [1907], p.283)

Book Ref

Russell,Bertrand: 'Essays in Analysis', ed/tr. Lackey,Douglas [George Braziller 1973], p.283


A Reaction

This is a manifesto for modern analytic philosophy. I'm not convinced, especially if a fictionalist view of maths is plausible. What Russell wants is rigour, but there are other ways of getting that. Currently I favour artificial intelligence.


The 18 ideas with the same theme [philosophy explores where reason take us]:

We shouldn't always follow where the argument leads! [Lewis on Plato]
The winds of the discussion should decide its destination [Plato]
Philosophy is the collection of rational arguments [Cicero]
Definitions are the first step in philosophy [Hobbes]
Reason is only interested in knowledge, actions and hopes [Kant]
Because there is only one human reason, there can only be one true philosophy from principles [Kant]
Consistency is the highest obligation of a philosopher [Kant]
If we look at the world rationally, the world assumes a rational aspect [Hegel]
An idea on its own isn't an idea, because they are continuous systems [Peirce]
Thinkers might agree some provisional truths, as methodological assumptions [Nietzsche]
Discoveries in mathematics can challenge philosophy, and offer it a new foundation [Russell]
Philosophers should abandon speculation, as philosophy is wholly critical [Ayer]
Philosophy aims to build foundations for thought [Derrida, by May]
Like disastrous small errors in navigation, small misunderstandings can wreck intellectual life [Harré/Madden]
Philosophy aims to reveal the grandeur of mathematics [Badiou]
We overvalue whether arguments are valid, and undervalue whether they are interesting [Monk]
Progress in philosophy is incremental, not an immature seeking after drama [Williamson]
Interesting philosophers hardly every give you explicitly valid arguments [Martin,M]