Single Idea 9144

[catalogued under 18. Thought / E. Abstraction / 1. Abstract Thought]

Full Idea

Fine says creative definitions can found mathematics. His 'procedural postulationism' says one stipulates not truths, but certain procedures for extending a domain. The procedures can be stated without invoking an abstract ontology.

Gist of Idea

Fine's 'procedural postulationism' uses creative definitions, but avoids abstract ontology

Source

report of Kit Fine (The Limits of Abstraction [2002], 100) by R Cook / P Ebert - Notice of Fine's 'Limits of Abstraction' 4

Book Reference

-: 'British Soc for the Philosophy of Science' [-], p.799


A Reaction

(For creative definitions, see Idea 9143) This sounds close in spirit to fictionalism, but with the emphasis on the procedure (which can presumably be formalized) rather than a pure act of imaginative creation.

Related Idea

Idea 9143 Implicit definitions must be satisfiable, creative definitions introduce things, contextual definitions build on things [Fine,K, by Cook/Ebert]