2009 Fall PHIL 113S-01
Bulletin Course Description Survey of mathematical thought including the nature of infinity, Platonism, constructivism, and the foundational crisis of the early twentieth century. Instructor: Einheuser or Sterrett
(Instructor named in bulletin description above may not be current. For current instructor, see listing below.)
Title PHIL OF MATHEMATICS Department PHIL Course Number 2009 Fall 113S Section Number 01 Primary Instructor Sterrett,Susan Prerequisites Prerequisite: one course in calculus or logic or philosophy; or consent of instructor.
Synopsis of course content
Survey of mathematical thought, including, the nature of mathematical
knowledge, the role of intuition and imagination in acquiring mathematical
knowledge, the nature of proportion, infinity and continuity, the notion of
number, and the power and limitations of the axiomatic method. The
twentieth century crisis in the foundations of mathematics and proposed
alternative apporaches (e.g., intuitionism, structuralism).
Textbooks
Readings include primary texts by Descartes, Kant, Dedekind, Cantor, Frege,
Russell and Hilbert.
Exams
Grade to be based on
Additional Information
Prerequisites: one previous philosophy course (high school or college-level) and
one college-level mathematics course.
