Explanation in Mathematics

Paolo Mancosu (1)

1 IHPST - Institut d'Histoire et de Philosophie des Sciences et des Techniques

The philosophical analysis of mathematical explanations concerns itself with two different, although connected, areas of investigation. The first area addresses the problem of whether mathematics can play an explanatory role in the natural and social sciences. The second deals with the problem of whether mathematical explanations occur within mathematics itself. Accordingly, this entry surveys the contributions to both areas, it shows their relevance to the history of philosophy and science, it articulates their connection, and points to the philosophical pay-offs to be expected by deepening our understanding of the topic.

Mots clés: mathematics; philosophy of science

Domaines: Histoire, Philosophie et Sociologie des sciences

Paolo Mancosu. Explanation in Mathematics. Zalta, Edward N. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University Press, 2011. ⟨halshs-00791898⟩