Repository | Journal | Volume | Articles
(2014) Synthese 191 (3).
The indispensability argument seeks to establish the existence of mathematical objects. The success of the indispensability argument turns on finding cases of genuine extra-mathematical explanation (the explanation of physical facts by mathematical facts). In this paper, I identify a new case of extra-mathematical explanation, involving the search patterns of fully-aquatic marine predators. I go on to use this case to predict the prevalence of extra-mathematical explanation in science.
Publication details
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-013-0284-2
Full citation:
Baron, S. (2014). Optimisation and mathematical explanation: doing the Lévy walk. Synthese 191 (3), pp. 459-479.
This document is unfortunately not available for download at the moment.