Optimisation and mathematical explanation: Doing the Lévy Walk
Journal article
Baron, Sam. (2014). Optimisation and mathematical explanation: Doing the Lévy Walk. Synthese. 191(3), pp. 459 - 479. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-013-0284-2
Authors | Baron, Sam |
---|---|
Abstract | The indispensability argument seeks to establish the existence of mathematical objects. The success of the indispensability argument turns on finding cases of genuine extra-mathematical explanation (the explanation of physical facts by mathematical facts). In this paper, I identify a new case of extra-mathematical explanation, involving the search patterns of fully-aquatic marine predators. I go on to use this case to predict the prevalence of extra-mathematical explanation in science. |
Keywords | explanation; indispensability; lévy; optimisation; mathematics; platonism; nominalism |
Year | 2014 |
Journal | Synthese |
Journal citation | 191 (3), pp. 459 - 479 |
Publisher | Kluwer Academic Publishers |
ISSN | 0039-7857 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-013-0284-2 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-84876758938 |
Page range | 459 - 479 |
Research Group | Dianoia Institute of Philosophy |
Publisher's version | File Access Level Controlled |
Place of publication | Netherlands |
Permalink -
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8q355/optimisation-and-mathematical-explanation-doing-the-l-vy-walk
Restricted files
Publisher's version
(1 files)
90
total views0
total downloads0
views this month0
downloads this month