Synopsis
Set theory is the primary mechanism for ideological and theoretical unification in modern mathematics. By offering a clear statement of basic questions and problems in this volume, Stephen Pollard aims to make the study of the philosophy of set theory less anarchic. Pollard largely ignores intuitionist and constructive alternatives to the Cantorian/Zermelian tradition. He applies mathematical structuralism and mathematical applications of plural reference and plural quantification - the two most important strands in the current philosophy of mathematics - to the philosophical interpretation of set theory. This book is intended to be accessible to graduate students and advanced undergraduates who have some aptitude at mathematical reasoning and some prior exposure to symbolic logic. It is suitable as a source of supplementary readings in a course on set theory or as a central text in a course on the philosophy of mathematics. It will also be of interest to professional philosophers both inside and outside of the philosphy of mathematics, and to set theorists with philosophical inclinations.
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From the Back Cover
The primary mechanism for ideological and theoretical unification in modern mathematics, set theory forms an essential element of any comprehensive treatment of the philosophy of mathematics. This unique approach to set theory offers a technically informed discussion that covers a variety of philosophical issues. Rather than focusing on intuitionist and constructive alternatives to the Cantorian/Zermelian tradition, the author examines the two most important aspects of the current philosophy of mathematics, mathematical structuralism and mathematical applications of plural reference and plural quantification.
Clearly written and frequently cited in the mathematical literature, this book is geared toward advanced undergraduates and graduate students of mathematics with some aptitude for mathematical reasoning and prior exposure to symbolic logic. Suitable as a source of supplementary readings in a course on set theory, it also functions as a primary text in a course on the philosophy of mathematics.
Dover (2015) republication of the edition published by the University of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, Indiana, 1990.
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About the Author
Stephen Pollard is Professor of Philosophy at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. In addition to A Mathematical Prelude to the Philosophy of Mathematics, he is co-translator of the Dover edition of Herman Weyl's The Continuum.
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