Single Idea 18500

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 7. Mathematical Structuralism / e. Structuralism critique]

Full Idea

I do not understand how structures could serve as truthmakers for mathematical truths, ...Mathematical truths are not true in virtue of any way the universe is. ...Mathematical truths hold, whatever ways the universe is.

Gist of Idea

How could structures be mathematical truthmakers? Maths is just true, without truthmakers

Source

John Heil (The Universe as We Find It [2012], 08.08)

Book Reference

Heil,John: 'The Universe as We Find It' [OUP 2012], p.172


A Reaction

I like the idea of enquiring about truthmakers for mathematical truths (and my view is more empirical than Heil's), but I think it may be a misunderstanding to think that structures are intended as truthmakers. Mathematics just IS structures?