NUMBERS

Number Cognition and Philosophy of Arithmetic

Coordinatore	LUNDS UNIVERSITET    more  Organization address address: Paradisgatan 5c city: LUND postcode: 22100 contact info Titolo: Prof. Nome: Erik J. Cognome: Olsson Email: send email Telefono: +46 46 22 20925
Nazionalità Coordinatore	Sweden [SE]
Totale costo	181˙418 €
EC contributo	181˙418 €
Programma	FP7-PEOPLE Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)
Code Call	FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF
Funding Scheme	MC-IEF
Anno di inizio	2012
Periodo (anno-mese-giorno)	2012-09-01   -   2014-10-15

 Partecipanti

#	participant	country	role	EC contrib. [€]
1	LUNDS UNIVERSITET  Organization address address: Paradisgatan 5c city: LUND postcode: 22100 contact info Titolo: Prof. Nome: Erik J. Cognome: Olsson Email: send email Telefono: +46 46 22 20925	SE (LUND)	coordinator	181˙418.40

Mappa

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The presented research project is devoted to the concept of natural number. We will be studying this concept from two different perspectives: the philosophy of mathematics and cognitive sciences. The underlying hypothesis is that in general these two disciplines function independently and do not exchange in an efficient manner. The main objective of the project is to establish a framework of possible cooperation of the to disciplines. The realisation of this objective is twofold. The first aspect is theoretical and (i) begins with a critical study of the up-to-now use of the results of one discipline by the other, (ii) then proposes a conceptual study of the resulting data and (iii) advances criteria for the fruitful use of multidisciplinary knowledge. The second aspect of realisation of the project consists in series of personal interactions with researchers in both, philosophy and cognitive sciences. We argue that the common language and a common curriculum can be elaborated for these disciplines, and that a research conducted in taking into account this common background will largely contribute to the overall understanding of the concept of natural number.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Are natural numbers real or human constructs? An EU study aimed to bridge the divide between philosophical and cognitive viewpoints via re-examination of certain arguments and new collaborative discussion.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Natural numbers are ordinary integers, or counting numbers; it is debated whether zero should be included. Philosophy and psychology clash about whether the set is merely a product of the human mind.

The EU-funded NUMBERS (Number cognition and philosophy of arithmetic) project aimed to reconcile the conflict and find common ground. To do so, the team proposed a revised understanding of the issue, to be illustrated via a case study of fruitful collaboration. Finally, the group planned an exploration of the commonalities between the fields. The project ran for two years to October 2014.

Initial work involved revisiting the relevant concepts as understood by various disciplines. Such review included viewpoints from the philosophy of mathematics and cognitive studies. A journal paper described the problem and constraints, and a second paper (in preparation) suggests reconsidering certain historical objections to psychological research methods. The team also considered whether one particular mathematical function is an example of a Carnapian explication.

Researchers studied examples of fruitful interaction between the disciplines. The phase yielded several papers, considering constraints and correctness of certain methods, having been either submitted or accepted. Preliminary work was started on the computable features of natural numbers, as well as on several other collaborations.

The final aspect involved fostering collaboration between major players in both fields. The project facilitated this through a series of reciprocal international visits and workshops.

NUMBERS produced a new conceptual viewpoint regarding the divide between cognitive and philosophical fields. The project also helped to advance the careers of project researchers.