Autor: Eduardo Castro

Abstract:

The Benacerraf’s problem is a problem about how we can attain mathematical knowledge: mathematical entities are entities not located in space-time; we exist in spacetime; so, it does not seem that we could have a causal connection with mathematical entities in order to attain mathematical knowledge. In this paper, I propose a solution to the Benacerraf’s problem supported by the Quinean doctrines of naturalism, confirmational holism and postulation. I show that we have empirical knowledge of centres of mass and of entities outside of our light cone and that these entities are inefficacious causality entities, at least, with us. At the end, I defend the existential knowledge of centres of mass and of entities outside of our light cone against the Eleatic principle of Cheyne, that we only could attain existential knowledge of entities by a causal connection.

ISSN: 1414-4217

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5007/1808-1711.2009v13n1p7

Texto Completo: https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/principia/article/view/1808-1711.2009v13n1p7/12747

Palavras-Chave: Benacerraf; Holismo; Indispensabilidade; Natu