Accepting Quote by Elliott Sober
“The indispensability argument says (roughly) that if you have ample reason to accept an empirical scientific theory that makes indispensable use of mathematics, and that theory entails that numbers exist, then you have ample reason to accept that numbers exist. The argument affirms the antecedent of this conditional, and concludes that you have ample reason to believe that numbers exist. What is striking about this argument is that it seems to show that the empirical reasons that suffice for accepting a scientific theory also suffice for accepting a metaphysical claim.”
About This Quote
Source Paper: Philosophy of Mathematics, 1995
The argument links empirical support for scientific theories to justification for believing in abstract entities like numbers.
In simple terms: Science can support belief in numbers.
Key Takeaway
Consider how empirical evidence can justify metaphysical claims.
Themes
philosophy
mathematics
metaphysics
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
argumentative
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- educational curricula
- policy making
- philosophical debate
- public discourse
Key Concepts
indispensability
ontology
empiricism
Questions to Reflect On
- Can empirical success alone justify metaphysical beliefs?
- What are the limits of this reasoning?
A Different Perspective
Relies on acceptance of a specific philosophical stance about the role of mathematics in science.
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