Single Idea 14089

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 7. Mathematical Structuralism / d. Platonist structuralism]

Full Idea

Structuralism can be distinguished from traditional Platonism in that it denies that mathematical objects from the same structure are ontologically independent of one another

Gist of Idea

Structuralism differs from traditional Platonism, because the objects depend ontologically on their structure

Source

Øystein Linnebo (Structuralism and the Notion of Dependence [2008], III)

Book Reference

-: 'The Philosophical Quarterly' [-], p.66


A Reaction

My instincts strongly cry out against all versions of this. If you are going to be a platonist (rather as if you are going to be religious) you might as well go for it big time and have independent objects, which will then dictate a structure.