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TOKMAT: Truth, Objectivity, and Knowledge: rethinking the social construction of MAThematics

Project description

Exploring truth and objectivity in mathematics through intuitionism and society

In mathematics, the notions of truth and objectivity have long been a subject of intense debate among historians and philosophers of science and mathematics. While other human pursuits are readily acknowledged as socially constructed, the social aspects of mathematics have remained contentious. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TOKMAT project employs intuitionism to develop a socially oriented perspective on mathematical truth. By treating mathematical entities as creations of the mind that are simultaneously influenced by external elements, this approach opens doors to a comprehensive evaluation of truth and objectivity. By delving into history, sociology, and philosophy, TOKMAT aims to uncover the intricate interplay between mathematics and society, contributing to the debates on epistemology and the evolution of knowledge.

Objective

Like all human undertakings, mathematics is pursued, promoted, and developed by socially and culturally situated practitioners immersed in the complex collectivities of their communal, practical, and institutional affiliations. However, while few would oppose viewing any other major, artistic, social, political, or religious undertaking as socially constructed, social constructivism in mathematics, specifically regarding the notions of truth and objectivity, remains highly contested among historians and philosophers of science and mathematics. The TOKMAT project uses intuitionism in order to develop a new technique for understanding the concept of truth in mathematics. This technique will be based on a conceptual analysis of the ideas of truth, realism, objectivity, and knowledge in mathematics through the prism of social constructivism. Intuitionism presented an alternate mathematical framework to classical mathematics, that viewed mathematical entities as creations of the mind. As intuitionism acknowledges the social constructivists’ claim that truth is a wholly human construction, it is a springboard towards a wide-reaching rethinking of the main constructivist account of mathematics. As a non-mainstream mathematical school whose ideas are still being discussed, intuitionism is a springboard towards exploring the social organization of scientific knowledge and its impact on our understanding of concepts like truth and objectivity. The project, therefore, brings together the history, sociology and philosophy of mathematics in order to provide new ways of understanding the notions of truth and objectivity in mathematics as shaped by both external and contextual elements. In doing so, this project aspires to contribute to the heady debates on epistemology, philosophy of mathematics, and the social constitution of warranted knowledge.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01

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Coordinator

THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM
Net EU contribution
€ 197 551,20
Address
EDMOND J SAFRA CAMPUS GIVAT RAM
91904 Jerusalem
Israel
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Partners (1)