Mathematics and language

Jeremy Avigad ()
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Jeremy Avigad: Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Philosophy

A chapter in Mathematics, Substance and Surmise, 2015, pp 235-255 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This essay considers the special character of mathematical reasoning, and draws on observations from interactive theorem proving and the history of mathematics to clarify the nature of formal and informal mathematical language. It proposes that we view mathematics as a system of conventions and norms that is designed to help us make sense of the world and reason efficiently. Like any designed system, it can perform well or poorly, and the philosophy of mathematics has a role to play in helping us understand the general principles by which it serves its purposes well.

Keywords: Mathematical Object; Theorem Prover; Mathematical Practice; Mathematical Language; Proof Assistant (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-319-21473-3_12

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-21473-3_12

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