Abstract In this discussion I argue that Peter Sullivan is wrong to suggest Wittgenstein's position in the Philosophical Investigations involves a commitment transcendental idealism. show Sullivan's interpretation holding idealism was employed by Wittgenstein attempt combat Platonist mythology. show, through detailed appraisal of samples, approach Platonism does not involve any such employment ...

I critically examine confirmational holism as it pertains to the indispensability arguments for mathematical Platonism. I employ a distinction between pure and applied mathematics that grows out of the often overlooked symbiotic relationship between mathematics and science. I argue that this distinction undercuts the notion that (pure) mathematical theories fall under the holistic scope of the ...

Historically, most mathematicians have believed that mathematical truths such as "2+5=7" exist independently of human minds, being universally and eternally true. Mathematicians believe they are discovering properties of, say, prime numbers, rather than merely inventing them. This view of mathematics dates back to Pythagoras (500 BC) and Plato (400 BC). It is often called “Platonism”. In order ...