Single Idea 9923

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / a. Numbers]

Full Idea

The modal strategy for numbers is to replace assumptions about the actual existence of numbers by assumptions about the possible existence of numbers

Gist of Idea

We should talk about possible existence, rather than actual existence, of numbers

Source

JP Burgess / G Rosen (A Subject with No Object [1997], II.B.3.a)

Book Reference

Burgess,J/Rosen,G: 'A Subject with No Object' [OUP 1997], p.137


A Reaction

This seems to be quite a good way of dealing with very large numbers and infinities. It is not clear whether 5 is so regularly actualised that we must consider it as permanent, or whether it is just a prominent permanent possibility.