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Single Idea 9808

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

Full Idea

Philosophy's role consists in informing mathematics of its own speculative grandeur.

Gist of Idea

Philosophy aims to reveal the grandeur of mathematics

Source

Alain Badiou (Mathematics and Philosophy: grand and little [2004], p.11)

Book Ref

Badiou,Alain: 'Theoretical Writings' [Continuum 2006], p.11

A Reaction

Revealing the grandeur of something sounds more like a rhetorical than a rational exercise. How would you reveal the grandeur of a sunset to someone?

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

15447 We shouldn't always follow where the argument leads! [Lewis on Plato]
23767 The winds of the discussion should decide its destination [Plato]
5891 Philosophy is the collection of rational arguments [Cicero]
17240 Definitions are the first step in philosophy [Hobbes]
5631 Reason is only interested in knowledge, actions and hopes [Kant]
21406 Because there is only one human reason, there can only be one true philosophy from principles [Kant]
6184 Consistency is the highest obligation of a philosopher [Kant]
21753 If we look at the world rationally, the world assumes a rational aspect [Hegel]
19241 An idea on its own isn't an idea, because they are continuous systems [Peirce]
24143 Thinkers might agree some provisional truths, as methodological assumptions [Nietzsche]
17641 Discoveries in mathematics can challenge philosophy, and offer it a new foundation [Russell]
5189 Philosophers should abandon speculation, as philosophy is wholly critical [Ayer]
21896 Philosophy aims to build foundations for thought [Derrida, by May]
15209 Like disastrous small errors in navigation, small misunderstandings can wreck intellectual life [Harré/Madden]
9808 Philosophy aims to reveal the grandeur of mathematics [Badiou]
6851 We overvalue whether arguments are valid, and undervalue whether they are interesting [Monk]
9593 Progress in philosophy is incremental, not an immature seeking after drama [Williamson]
6855 Interesting philosophers hardly every give you explicitly valid arguments [Martin,M]