Single Idea 9910

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 1. Mathematical Platonism / b. Against mathematical platonism]

Full Idea

The identification of numbers with objects works wholesale but fails utterly object by object.

Gist of Idea

Number-as-objects works wholesale, but fails utterly object by object

Source

Paul Benacerraf (What Numbers Could Not Be [1965], IIIC)

Book Reference

'Philosophy of Mathematics: readings (2nd)', ed/tr. Benacerraf/Putnam [CUP 1983], p.292


A Reaction

This seems to be a glaring problem for platonists. You can stare at 1728 till you are blue in the face, but it only begins to have any properties at all once you examine its place in the system. This is unusual behaviour for an object.

Related Idea

Idea 9964 Since mathematical objects are essentially relational, they can't be picked out on their own [Jubien]