What is mathematical realism? Premium

Philosophers debate whether mathematics is discovered or invented, exploring various theories like mathematical realism and support for it from evolution.

Is mathematics a discovery or an invention?

The answers to this question are an important part of the philosophy of mathematics. To answer it, philosophers would like to know whether mathematics is a natural part of this world that existed before humans discovered and comprehended it or if mathematics was invented by humans.

In this discussion, experts have developed many different possible answers as to the nature of mathematics’s existence. A particularly popular one is mathematical realism: according to this view, mathematics is real irrespective of whether there is a human mind to comprehend it. In other words, it stipulates that human minds discovered mathematics rather than creating it.

There has been some support from evolution for this view. Insects called cicadas live underground but emerge every few years to eat foot, reproduce, and then die. This year, three broods of cicadas emerged at the same time: one with a 13-year cycle, one with a 17-year cycle, and one with a seven-year cycle. It’s the first such event in 1,547 years.

Seven, 137, and 17 are all prime numbers, and some scientists believe evolution opted for these numbers in order to avoid predators that emerge from underground to hunt cicadas at periodic intervals. By keeping their emergence cycle to a prime number of years, cicadas have a better chance of avoiding the predators’ more predictale cycles.

There are many types of realism as well, including Platonic, mathematicism, and logicism. Other, alternative positions on the nature of mathematics include structuralism, fictionalism, and social constructivism.