Results (
Thai) 2:
[Copy]Copied!
B. progressive Absolutism
Although the various forms of absolutism are grouped and criticized together, different forms of absolutism in mathematics can be distinguished. Drawing a parallel with the philosophy of science, Confrey (1981) separates formal absolutist and progressive absolutist philosophies of mathematics. The formal absolutist view of mathematics is
The epitome of certainty, immutable truths, and irrefutable methods. . . secure through the infallibility of its supreme method, deduction. . . Concepts in mathematics do not develop, they are discovered. . . the previous truths left unchanged by the discovery of a new truth. . . . mathematics procceding by an accumulation of mathematical truths and as having an inflexible, a priori structure. (Confrey,1981, pages 246-247)
This is contrasted with the progressive absolutist view of mathematics, which whilst absolutist sees mathematics as resulting from human striving for truth, rather than its attainment. According to this view
Progress is a Progress of replacement of previous theories by superior theories which account for all the previous data and more. Each progressive theory approximates truth more precisely . . . progress consists of discovering mathematical truths which are not consistent with a theory or not contrasted for in the theory, and than extending the theory to account for this larger realm of mathematical phenomenon. (Confrey,1981, pages 247-248)
The key distinction is between static and dynamic absolutist conceptions of mathematical knowledge and theories, with human activity contributing the dynamic in progressive absolutism.
Formalism and logicism are formal absolutist. They accept the discovery and proof of new theorems within a formal mathematical theory, building on its axioms. However, they do not treat the creation or change of mathematical theories nor informal mathematics, let alone human agency. According to such views, mathematics consists of nothing more than fixed, formal mathematical theories.
Being translated, please wait..
