Single Idea 19093

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 5. Definitions of Number / b. Greek arithmetic]

Full Idea

Ancient mathematical concepts were essentially sensory; they were not mathematical in our sense - that is, wholly constituted by their inferential potential.

Gist of Idea

Greek mathematics is wholly sensory, where ours is wholly inferential

Source

Danielle Macbeth (Pragmatism and Objective Truth [2007], p.187)

Book Reference

'New Pragmatists', ed/tr. Misak,Cheryl [OUP 2009], p.187


A Reaction

The latter view is Frege's, though I suppose it had been emerging for a couple of centuries before him. I like the Greek approach, and would love to see that reunited with the supposedly quite different modern view. (Keith Hossack is attempting it).