Combining Texts

Ideas for 'The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics', 'Towards a Universal Characteristic' and 'Phil of Mathematics: why nothing works'

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2 ideas

6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 4. Using Numbers / g. Applying mathematics

19390	Everything is subsumed under number, which is a metaphysical statics of the universe, revealing powers [Leibniz]
	Full Idea: There is nothing which is not subsumable under number; number is therefore a fundamental metaphysical form, and arithmetic a sort of statics of the universe, in which the powers of things are revealed.
	From: Gottfried Leibniz (Towards a Universal Characteristic [1677], p.17)
	A reaction: I take numbers to be a highly generalised and idealised description of an aspect of reality (seen as mainly constituted by countable substances). Seeing reality as processes doesn't lead us to number. So I like this idea.

6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 1. Mathematical Platonism / b. Against mathematical platonism

3663	How can you contemplate Platonic entities without causal transactions with them? [Putnam]
	Full Idea: Platonism has the attendant problem of how we can succeed in thinking about and referring to entities we can have no causal transactions with.
	From: Hilary Putnam (Phil of Mathematics: why nothing works [1979], Modalism)