Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy is a book by philosopher Bertrand Russell, in which the author seeks to create an accessible introduction to various topics within the foundations of mathematics. According to the preface, the book is intended for those with only limited knowledge of mathematics and no prior experience with the mathematical logic it deals with.[1] Accordingly, it is often used in introductory philosophy of mathematics courses at institutions of higher education.[2][3]
Background
Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy was written while Russell was serving time in Brixton Prison due to his anti-war activities.[4]
Contents
The book deals with a wide variety of topics within the philosophy of mathematics and mathematical logic including the logical basis and definition of natural numbers, real and complex numbers, limits and continuity, and classes.[5]
Editions
- Russell, Bertrand (1919), Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy, George Allen and Unwin. (Reprinted: Routledge, 1993.)
See also
- Principia Mathematica
- The Principles of Mathematics
- Logicism
Footnotes
- ^ Russell, Bertrand (1919). Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy. London: George Allen and Unwin. p. ii.
- ^ Stanford University. (2015). PHIL162: Philosophy of Mathematics.
- ^ Princeton University. (2018). PHI314: Philosophy of Mathematics
- ^ Irvine, Andrew David (2019), Zalta, Edward N. (ed.), "Bertrand Russell", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2019 ed.), Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University, retrieved 2020-03-21
- ^ Pfeiffer, G. A.. "Russell's Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy". Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 27 (1920), no. 2, 81–90.