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Full Idea
There is no interest for the mathematician in studying the number 8 in isolation from the other numbers.
Gist of Idea
The number 8 in isolation from the other numbers is of no interest
Source
Michèle Friend (Introducing the Philosophy of Mathematics [2007], 4.4)
Book Ref
Friend,Michèle: 'Introducing the Philosophy of Mathematics' [Acumen 2007], p.93
A Reaction
This is a crucial and simple point (arising during a discussion of Shapiro's structuralism). Most things are interesting in themselves, as well as for their relationships, but mathematical 'objects' just are relationships.
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