Higher seminar in Philosophy of Science Jim Brown: (University of Toronto)

Seminar

Date: Wednesday 22 October 2025

Time: 13.00 – 15.00

Location: D700

More Things in Heaven

Abstract

I begin with the assumption of realism or Platonism in mathematics. This talk is about the epistemology of mathematics. The question is what are legitimate, best methods for learning mathematical truths.

I introduced a thought experiment with the aim of showing that mathematics should not be dominated by traditional proof as the one and only source of knowledge. Much of the talk will be devoted to explaining this, giving examples, and drawing out some of the major consequences.

The talk will be largely non-technical, but should be of interest to working mathematicians who have an interest in mathematical methodology. If there is time, one technical example will be given involving through continuum hypothesis.

The talk is based on a book in progress with the tentative title: More Things in Heaven: Mathematics, Ethics, and the Platonic Imagination

Last updated: October 22, 2025

Source: Departmen of Philosophy

eventNewsArticle

standard-article

true

{
  "dimensions": [
    {
      "id": "department.categorydimension.subject",
      "name": "Global categories",
      "enumerable": true,
      "entities": [],
      "localizations": {}
    },
    {
      "id": "department.categorydimension.tag.Keywords",
      "name": "Keywords",
      "enumerable": false,
      "entities": [],
      "localizations": {}
    },
    {
      "id": "department.categorydimension.tag.Person",
      "name": "Person",
      "enumerable": false,
      "entities": [],
      "localizations": {}
    },
    {
      "id": "department.categorydimension.tag.Tag",
      "name": "Tag",
      "enumerable": false,
      "entities": [],
      "localizations": {}
    },
    {
      "id": "FilosofiskaEng.lokal",
      "name": "Lokala Kategorier Filosofiska Eng",
      "enumerable": true,
      "entities": [
        {
          "id": "FilosofiskaEng.lokal.kalender",
          "name": "Local calendar",
          "entities": [],
          "attributes": [],
          "childrenOmitted": false,
          "localizations": {}
        },
        {
          "id": "FilosofiskaEng.lokal.nyheter",
          "name": "Local news",
          "entities": [],
          "attributes": [],
          "childrenOmitted": false,
          "localizations": {}
        }
      ],
      "localizations": {}
    },
    {
      "id": "webb2021.categorydimension.Category.Events",
      "name": "Event Category (Webb 2021)",
      "enumerable": true,
      "entities": [],
      "localizations": {}
    },
    {
      "id": "webb2021.categorydimension.Label",
      "name": "Etiketter (Webb 2021)",
      "enumerable": true,
      "entities": [],
      "localizations": {}
    },
    {
      "id": "webb2021.categorydimension.Label.en",
      "name": "Labels (Webb 2021)",
      "enumerable": true,
      "entities": [],
      "localizations": {}
    },
    {
      "id": "webb2021.categorydimension.Keyword",
      "name": "Keywords (Webb 2021)",
      "enumerable": false,
      "entities": [],
      "localizations": {}
    }
  ]
}