Philosophy of mathematics from Descartes to Kant / Emily Carson

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Carson, Emily, author.

Series:

Cambridge elements. Elements in the philosophy of mathematics

Cambridge elements. Elements in the philosophy of mathematics, 2399-2883

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mathematics--Philosophy--History--17th century.

Mathematics.

Mathematics--Philosophy--History--18th century.

Mathematics--Philosophy.

Genre:

History

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2026

Summary:

"The mathematical method and the nature of mathematical knowledge were subjects of intense philosophical discussion in the 17th and 18th centuries. In particular, there was a debate over whether metaphysical truths admit of distinct proof as geometrical truths do, and whether they may be known with the same degree of certainty. This comparison between geometry and philosophy required a proper understanding of how Euclidean demonstration secured certainty. This element examines attempts by Descartes, Locke, Leibniz, Wolff, Lambert, Mendelssohn and Kant to address this question. The emphasis is on metaphysical and epistemological questions about geometrical demonstration in the 17th- and 18th-centuries"-- Cambridge Core

Contents:

Descartes : from the rules to the meditations

Locke

Leibniz

Wolff on the geometrical method

The prize essay competition : Mendelssohn, Lambert, and Kant

Kant’s critical philosophy of mathematics

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references

Online resource; title from PDF title page (Cambridge Core, viewed June 30, 2026)

Other Format:

Print version: Carson, Emily Philosophy of mathematics from Descartes to Kant

ISBN:

9781108982405

1108982409

OCLC:

1587319390

Publisher Number:

CIPO000393589

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license