Philosophical Perspectives on Infinity
Philosophical Perspectives on Infinity
This book is an exploration of philosophical questions about infinity. Graham Oppy examines how the infinite lurks everywhere, both in science and in our ordinary thoughts about the world. He also analyses the many puzzles and paradoxes that follow in the train of the infinite. Even simple notions, such as counting, adding and maximising present serious difficulties. Other topics examined include the nature of space and time, infinities in physical science, infinities in theories of probability and decision, the nature of part/whole relations, mathematical theories of the infinite, and infinite regression and principles of sufficient reason.
- Provides detailed treatment of a wide range of puzzles about infinity and the infinite
- Discusses the role of the infinite in many different parts of philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of science and mathematics
- Addresses questions in metaphysics, epistemology and philosophy of science that are of the utmost importance for philosophy of religion
Reviews & endorsements
"I did encounter some new and provocative examples beyond the standard fare of Zeno's paradox and Hilbert's Hotel, and the meticulous framing of each conundrum and possible resolutions was fascinating and worth the effort." - MAA Review Bonnie Shulman, Bates College
"...read this book." Mathematical Reviews
Product details
May 2006Adobe eBook Reader
9780511190148
0 pages
0kg
1 table
This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Beginnings and puzzles
- 2. Mathematical preliminaries
- 3. Some cases discussed
- 4. Space, time, and spacetime
- 5. Physical infinities
- 6. Probability and decision theory
- 7. Mereology
- 8. Philosophical theories
- 9. Infinite regress and sufficient reason.
