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Single Idea 12426

[from 'The Nature of Mathematical Knowledge' by Philip Kitcher, in 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 1. Mathematics ]

Full Idea

Insofar as we can honor claims about the aesthetic qualities or the interest of mathematical inquiries, we should do so by pointing to their explanatory power.

Gist of Idea

The 'beauty' or 'interest' of mathematics is just explanatory power

Source

Philip Kitcher (The Nature of Mathematical Knowledge [1984], 09.4)

Book Reference

Kitcher,Philip: 'The Nature of Mathematical Knowledge' [OUP 1984], p.212


A Reaction

I think this is a good enough account for me (but probably not for my friend Carl!). Beautiful cars are particularly streamlined. Beautiful people look particularly healthy. A beautiful idea is usually wide-ranging.

Related Idea

Idea 18078 The interest or beauty of mathematics is when it uses current knowledge to advance undestanding [Kitcher]