Single Idea 14162

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 1. Mathematical Platonism / b. Against mathematical platonism]

Full Idea

Mathematics is throughout indifferent to the question whether its entities exist.

Gist of Idea

Mathematics doesn't care whether its entities exist

Source

Bertrand Russell (The Principles of Mathematics [1903], §434)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Principles of Mathematics' [Routledge 1992], p.458


A Reaction

There is an 'if-thenist' attitude in this book, since he is trying to reduce mathematics to logic. Total indifference leaves the problem of why mathematics is applicable to the real world.

Related Idea

Idea 14161 Many things have being (as topics of propositions), but may not have actual existence [Russell]