Journal title
Philosophia Mathematica: philosophy of mathematics, its learning, and its application
DOI
10.1093/philmat/nkw029
Issue
2
Volume
25
Last updated
2021-03-30T12:12:12.577+01:00
Page
246-267
Abstract
A mathematical matrix is usually defined as a two-dimensional array of scalars. And yet, as I explain, matrices are not in fact two-dimensional arrays. So are we to conclude that matrices do not exist? I show how to resolve the puzzle, for both contemporary and older mathematics. The solution generalises to the interpretation of all mathematical discourse. The paper as a whole attempts to reinforce mathematical structuralism by reflecting on how best to interpret mathematics.
Symplectic ID
644317
Submitted to ORA
On
Publication type
Journal Article
Publication date
24 December 2016