Högre seminarium i vetenskapsfilosofi: Casey McCoy (Yonsei U)

Why are functions important in mathematics?

Seminarium

Datum:

torsdag 25 januari 2024

Tid:

13.15 – 15.00

Plats:

D700

Abstract

Mathematicians hold up the concept of function as the most important and central in all of mathematics. My question is, "why exactly is it so important?" There are many possible answers depending on how functions are conceptualized and depending on the point of view adopted.

In this talk, I will consider historical and pragmatic conditions,  but focus especially on comparing the foundational perspectives of set theory and category theory on the mathematical function.