For a Philosophy of Mathematical Practice

Abstract

It is a fact that of the logicist, the intuitionist, and Hilbert's programmes, the classical programmes set up to establish mathematics on safe foundations, some have failed, whereas others have long since lost their propulsive force. Two of the consequences of the crisis of the classical programmes in the foundations of mathematics were: a widespread scepticism towards the possibility of establishing the certainty of mathematical methods, and a new attention paid to mathematical practice. The main aim of this article is that of individuating some directions of research along which to develop a tenable philosophy of mathematical practice.