Ep. 33 - Do Mathematical Objects Exist? | Dr. Jody Azzouni
Dec 04, 2016•59 min
Listen to this episode in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episode description
What are numbers? What are concepts? Do they exist, or do we just act like they exist?
I'm joined by Dr. Jody Azzouni of Tufts University. He's a philosopher who has been arguing for nominalism for years - the idea that numbers and abstract objects don't exist at all.
His position is a wonderful contrast to the previous interviews I've done on this topic, where the guests have been Platonists. My own views sit in-between nominalism and Platonism.
I think abstract objects exist, but they do not exist in a Platonic realm. They exist in our minds. When we stop thinking about them, they stop existing.
Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android