Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
  1. Home
  2. Books
  3. Numerical Cognition and the Epistemology of Arithmetic
  • Cited by 5
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
March 2024
Print publication year:
2024
Online ISBN:
9781009468862
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009468862
Subjects:
Mathematics (general), Mathematics, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy
Information

Book description

Arithmetic is one of the foundations of our educational systems, but what exactly is it? Numbers are everywhere in our modern societies, but what is our knowledge of numbers really about? This book provides a philosophical account of arithmetical knowledge that is based on the state-of-the-art empirical studies of numerical cognition. It explains how humans have developed arithmetic from humble origins to its modern status as an almost universally possessed knowledge and skill. Central to the account is the realisation that, while arithmetic is a human creation, the development of arithmetic is constrained by our evolutionarily developed cognitive architecture. Arithmetic is a sophisticated cultural development, but it is ultimately based on abilities with numerosities that we already possess as infants and share with many non-human animals. Therefore, arithmetic is not purely conventional, an arbitrary game akin to chess. Instead, arithmetic is deeply connected to our basic cognitive capacities.

Reviews

‘This book is a refreshing, genuinely interdisciplinary exploration of cognitive and epistemological issues concerning numbers. Pantsar argues for the controversial thesis that arithmetic, although rooted in our shared cognitive abilities, is a cultural product. He then explores this thesis's various repercussions, tackling in a novel way traditional philosophical problems about mathematics.'

Silvia de Toffoli - Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS Pavia

Refine List

Actions for selected content:

Select all | Deselect all
  • View selected items
  • Export citations
  • Download PDF (zip)
  • Save to Kindle
  • Save to Dropbox
  • Save to Google Drive

Save Search

You can save your searches here and later view and run them again in "My saved searches".

Please provide a title, maximum of 40 characters.
Cancel
×

Contents

Contents
  • Chapter 1 - Proto-arithmetical Abilities
    pp 33-50
      • You have access
    • PDF
    • HTML
    • Export citation
References

Metrics

Altmetric attention score

Full text views

Total number of HTML views: 0
Total number of PDF views: 0 *
Loading metrics...

Book summary page views

Total views: 0 *
Loading metrics...

* Views captured on Cambridge Core between #date#. This data will be updated every 24 hours.

Usage data cannot currently be displayed.