-
118Lógica, lenguajes formales y modalidadAndamios 20 (53): 45-60. 2023.This paper examines two alleged limitations in the use of formal languages: on the one hand, the trade-offs between expressive and inferential power, and on the other, the phenomenon of system imprisonment. After reconceptualizing the issue, we consider the role played by modality in the understanding of certain aspects of mathematical structures and argue for its centrality.
-
134Resisting easy inferencesPhilosophy and Phenomenological Research 102 (3): 729-735. 2021.Amie Thomasson has articulated a novel conception of ontological debates, defending an easy approach to ontological questions as part of the articulation of a deflationary metaphysical view (Thomasson, 2015). After raising some concerns to the approach, we sketch a neutralist alternative to her ontological framework, offering an even easier way of conducting ontological debates.
-
75Putnam’s indispensability argument revisited, reassessed, revivedTheoria : An International Journal for Theory, History and Fundations of Science 33 (2): 201-218. 2018.Crucial to Hilary Putnam’s realism in the philosophy of mathematics is to maintain the objectivity of mathematics without the commitment to the existence of mathematical objects. Putnam’s indispensability argument was devised as part of this conception. In this paper, I reconstruct and reassess Putnam’s argument for the indispensability of mathematics, and distinguish it from the more familiar, Quinean version of the argument. Although I argue that Putnam’s approach ultimately fails, I develop a…Read more
-
95Scientific Theories, Models and the Semantic ApproachPrincipia: An International Journal of Epistemology 11 (2): 187-201. 2007.According to the semantic view, a theory is characterized by a class of models. In this paper, we examine critically some of the assumptions that underlie this approach. First, we recall that models are models of something. Thus we cannot leave completely aside the axiomatization of the theories under consideration, nor can we ignore the metamathematics used to elaborate these models, for changes in the metamathematics often impose restrictions on the resulting models. Second, based on a paralle…Read more
-
1Individuation across Experimental and Theoretical Sciences (edited book)Oxford University Press. 2018.
-
40Sets and Functions in Theoretical PhysicsErkenntnis 79 (2): 257-281. 2014.It is easy to show that in many natural axiomatic formulations of physical and even mathematical theories, there are many superfluous concepts usually assumed as primitive. This happens mainly when these theories are formulated in the language of standard set theories, such as Zermelo–Fraenkel’s. In 1925, John von Neumann created a set theory where sets are definable by means of functions. We provide a reformulation of von Neumann’s set theory and show that it can be used to formulate physical a…Read more
-
1035Quine's double standard: undermining the indispensability argument via the indeterminacy of referencePrincipia 7 (1-2): 17-39. 2003.Quine has famously put forward the indispensability argument to force belief in the existence of mathematical objects (such as classes) due to their indispensability to our best theories of the world (Quine 1960). Quine has also advocated the indeterminacy of reference argument, according to which reference is dramatically indeterminate: given a language, there’s no unique reference relation for that language (see Quine 1969a). In this paper, I argue that these two arguments are in conflict with…Read more
-
49Empirical factors and structure transference: Returning to the London accountStudies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 43 (2): 95-104. 2012.
-
55Quasi-Truth, Supervaluations and Free LogicHistory and Philosophy of Logic 20 (3-4): 215-226. 1999.The partial structures approach has two major components: a broad notion of structure (partial structure) and a weak notion of truth (quasi-truth). In this paper, we discuss the relationship between this approach and free logic. We also compare the model-theoretic analysis supplied by partial structures with the method of supervaluations, which was initially introduced as a technique to provide a semantic analysis of free logic. We then combine the three formal frameworks (partial structures, fr…Read more
-
181Object Theory and Modal MeinongianismAustralasian Journal of Philosophy 95 (4): 761-778. 2017.In this paper, we compare two theories, modal Meinongianism and object theory, with respect to several issues that have been discussed recently in the literature. In particular, we raise some objections for MM, undermine some of the objections that its defenders raise for OT, and we point out some virtues of the latter with respect to the former.
-
206What is structural empiricism? Scientific change in an empiricist settingErkenntnis 50 (1): 55-81. 1999.In this paper a constructive empiricist account of scientific change is put forward. Based on da Costa's and French's partial structures approach, two notions of empirical adequacy are initially advanced (with particular emphasis on the introduction of degrees of empirical adequacy). Using these notions, it is shown how both the informativeness and the empirical adequacy requirements of an empiricist theory of scientific change can then be met. Finally, some philosophical consequences with regar…Read more
-
294Can Mathematics Explain Physical Phenomena?British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 63 (1): 85-113. 2012.Batterman raises a number of concerns for the inferential conception of the applicability of mathematics advocated by Bueno and Colyvan. Here, we distinguish the various concerns, and indicate how they can be assuaged by paying attention to the nature of the mappings involved and emphasizing the significance of interpretation in this context. We also indicate how this conception can accommodate the examples that Batterman draws upon in his critique. Our conclusion is that ‘asymptotic reasoning’ …Read more
-
31Descartes on Mathematical EssencesProtoSociology 25 160-177. 2008.Descartes seems to hold two inconsistent accounts of the ontological status of mathematical essences. Meditation Five apparently develops a platonist view about such essences, while the Principles seems to advocate some form of “conceptualism”. We argue that Descartes was neither a platonist nor a conceptualist. Crucial to our interpretation is Descartes’ dispositional nativism. We contend that his doctrine of innate ideas allows him to endorse a hybrid view which avoids the drawbacks of Gassend…Read more
-
71Models of ReductionPrincipia: An International Journal of Epistemology 13 (3): 269-282. 2009.. In this paper, I examine three models of reduction. The first, and the most restrictive, is the model developed by Ernest Nagel as part of the logical empiricist program. The second, articulated by Jerry Fodor, is significantly broader, but it seems unable to make sense of a salient feature of scientific practice. The third, and the most lenient, model is developed within Newton da Costa and Steven French’s partial structures approach. I argue that the third model preserves the benefits of Fod…Read more
-
1045The Methodological Character of Symmetry PrinciplesAbstracta 3 (1): 3-28. 2006.In this paper, I argue that symmetry principles in physics (in particular, in quantum mechanics) have a methodological character, rather than an ontological or an epistemological one. First, I provide a framework to address three related issues regarding the notion of symmetry: (i) how the notion can be characterized; (ii) one way of discussing the nature of symmetry principles, and (iii) a tentative account of some types of symmetry in physics. To illustrate how the framework functions, I then …Read more
-
16Paraconsistent logicIn Susana Nuccetelli, Ofelia Schutte & Otávio Bueno (eds.), A Companion to Latin American Philosophy, Wiley-blackwell. 2009.This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Paraconsistent Logic and Latin America Thinking about Logic The Nature of Paraconsistent Logic A History of Paraconsistent Logic Philosophical Aspects of Paraconsistent Logic References Further Reading.
-
949Logicism RevisitedPrincipia 5 (1-2): 99-124. 2001.In this paper, I develop a new defense of logicism: one that combines logicism and nominalism. First, I defend the logicist approach from recent criticisms; in particular from the charge that a cruciai principie in the logicist reconstruction of arithmetic, Hume's Principle, is not analytic. In order to do that, I argue, it is crucial to understand the overall logicist approach as a nominalist view. I then indicate a way of extending the nominalist logicist approach beyond arithmetic. Finally, I…Read more
-
214Sosa on skepticismMetaphilosophy 40 (2): 195-202. 2009.Abstract: Ernest Sosa has recently articulated an insightful response to skepticism and, in particular, to the dream argument. The response relies on two independent moves. First, Sosa offers the imagination model of dreaming according to which no assertions are ever made in dreams and no beliefs are involved there. As a result, it is possible to distinguish dreaming from being awake, and the dream argument is blocked. Second, Sosa develops a virtue epistemology according to which in appropriate…Read more
-
7Review of André Fuhrmann: An Essay on Contraction (review)British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 51 (3): 513-517. 2000.
-
56A coherence theory of truth/Uma teoria coerentista da verdadeManuscrito 30 (2): 539-568. 2007.In this paper, we provide a new formulation of a coherence theory of truth using the resources of the partial structures approach − in particular the notions of partial structure and quasi-truth. After developing this new formulation, we apply the resulting theory to the philosophy of mathematics, and argue that it can be used to develop a new account of nominalism in mathematics. This application illustrates the strength and usefulness of the proposed formulation of a coherence theory of truth.…Read more
-
1073Central to the philosophical understanding of music is the status of musical works. According to the Platonist, musical works are abstract objects; that is, they are not located in space or time, and we have no causal access to them. Moreover, only a particular physical occurrence of these musical works is instantiated when a performance ofthe latter takes place. But even if no performance ever took place, the Platonist insists, the musical work would still exist, since its existence is not tied…Read more
-
66Representation at the NanoscalePhilosophy of Science 73 (5): 617-628. 2006.In this paper, I provide an account of scientific representation that makes sense of the notion both at the nanoscale and at the quantum level: the partial mappings account. The account offers an extension of a proposal developed by R. I. G. Hughes in terms of denotation, demonstration, and interpretation (DDI). I first argue that the DDI account needs some amendments to accommodate representation of nano and quantum phenomena. I then introduce a generalized framework with the notions of unsharp…Read more
-
1008On what it takes for there to be no fact of the matterNoûs 42 (4): 753-769. 2008.Philosophers are very fond of making non-factualist claims—claims to the effect that there is no fact of the matter as to whether something is the case. But can these claims be coherently stated in the context of classical logic? Some care is needed here, we argue, otherwise one ends up denying a tautology or embracing a contradiction. In the end, we think there are only two strategies available to someone who wants to be a non-factualist about something, and remain within the province of classi…Read more
-
1Fitch's paradox and the philosophy of mathematicsIn Joe Salerno (ed.), New Essays on the Knowability Paradox, Oxford University Press. 2008.
-
131Stance and rationality: a perspectiveSynthese 178 (1): 1-5. 2011.We offer an overview of some ways of examining the connections between stance and rationality, by surveying recent work on four central topics: the very idea of a stance, the relations between stances and voluntarism, the metaphysics and epistemology that emerge once stances are brought to center stage, and the role that emotions and phenomenology play in the empirical stance
-
65Partial Truth and Visual EvidencePrincipia: An International Journal of Epistemology 15 (2): 249. 2011.Newton da Costa and Steven French have argued that the concept of partial truth plays an important role in our understanding of significant aspects of scientific practice: from the status of scientific theories through the understanding of inconsistency in science to the nature of induction (see da Costa and French 2003). In this paper, I use the concept of partial truth and the associated framework of partial structures to offer a formulation of the concept of visual evidence, and I examine som…Read more
-
16Partial Truth and Visual Evidence DOI:10.5007/1808-1711.2011v15n2p249Principia: An International Journal of Epistemology 15 (2): 249-270. 2011.Newton da Costa and Steven French have argued that the concept of partial truth plays an important role in our understanding of significant aspects of scientific practice: from the status of scientific theories through the understanding of inconsistency in science to the nature of induction. In this paper, I use the concept of partial truth and the associated framework of partial structures to offer a formulation of the concept of visual evidence, and I examine some of the roles that this notion…Read more
Coral Gables, Florida, United States of America
Areas of Specialization
Logic and Philosophy of Logic |
Philosophy of Mathematics |
General Philosophy of Science |
Areas of Interest
Epistemology |
Metaphysics |
Aesthetics |
Philosophy of Physical Science |