Mathematical explanation and indispensability arguments

Chris Daly; Simon Langford

doi:10.1111/j.1467-9213.2008.601.x

Mathematical explanation and indispensability arguments

Chris Daly, Simon Langford

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We defend Joseph Melia's thesis that the role of mathematics in scientific theory is to 'index' quantities, and that even if mathematics is indispensable to scientific explanations of concrete phenomena, it does not explain any of those phenomena. This thesis is defended against objections by Mark Colyvan and Alan Baker.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	641-658
Number of pages	18
Journal	Philosophical Quarterly
Volume	59
Issue number	237
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9213.2008.601.x
Publication status	Published - Oct 2009
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Philosophy

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10.1111/j.1467-9213.2008.601.x

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abstract = "We defend Joseph Melia's thesis that the role of mathematics in scientific theory is to 'index' quantities, and that even if mathematics is indispensable to scientific explanations of concrete phenomena, it does not explain any of those phenomena. This thesis is defended against objections by Mark Colyvan and Alan Baker.",

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Mathematical explanation and indispensability arguments

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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