Why Are They Called Real Numbers If They Aren’t Real, and Other Such Questions?

Author

Rahmat RashidFollow

Date of Award

Fall 2022

Thesis Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Honors Bachelor of Arts

Department

Philosophy

Sponsor

Dr. Tom Cook

Committee Member

Dr. Mark Anderson

Committee Member

Dr. Scott Rubarth

Abstract

This thesis studies the position of mathematical realism (the position that mathematical objects have ontological status) through history, starting with Pythagoras up until W.V.O Quine, and examining how these positions originate from each other. I hope to see how the position has changed and why, and provide an argument against the strongest of the realist positions, drawing on this extensive background. Finally, I advance my own argument against the strongest arguments for mathematical realism, and propose alternatives to a view of mathematical realism.

Recommended Citation

Rashid, Rahmat, "Why Are They Called Real Numbers If They Aren’t Real, and Other Such Questions?" (2022). Honors Program Theses. 212.
https://scholarship.rollins.edu/honors/212

Rights Holder

Rahmat Rashid