Avicenna against Mathematical Platonism

In: Oriens
Author: Mohammad Saleh Zarepour 1
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  • 1 Clare Hall, University of Cambridge
Online Publication Date:
01 Nov 2019
In:
Volume 47: Issue 3-4
Article Type:
Research Article
Pages:
197–243
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/18778372-04700100
Keywords:
Plato; Aristotle; Avicenna; mathematical forms; mathematical objects; mathematical Platonism; intermediates

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Abstract

In this paper I investigate Avicenna’s criticisms of the separateness of mathematical objects and of the view that they are principles for natural things. These two theses form the core of Plato’s view of mathematics; i.e., mathematical Platonism. Surprisingly, Avicenna does not consider his arguments against these theses as attacks on Plato. This is because his understanding of Plato’s philosophy of mathematics differs from both Plato’s original view and what Aristotle attributes to Plato.

In:
Oriens
E-ISSN:
1877-8372
Print ISSN:
0078-6527
Publisher:
Brill
Cover Oriens

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