Workshop: The Cognitive Basis of Logico-Mathematical Knowledge

Workshop: The Cognitive Basis of Logico-Mathematical Knowledge

Department of Philosophy, University of Bergen

November 16-17, 2015. Bergen, Norway

We welcome abstracts for an inter-disciplinary workshop discussing the knowledge of mathematical and logical truths from a psychological perspective.

The objective is to reflect on the cognitive basis of the human abilities to reason abstractly, in mathematics and logic. While looked down on by several major philosophers (such as Frege), these abilities have been extensively studied by psychologists and cognitive scientists; our assumption is that the issue can still benefit from philosophical analysis. A non-exhaustive list of suggestions of topics is:

- Nativism

- What is to naturalize the epistemology of logic and mathematics?

- The role of language in acquiring logico-mathematical abilities

- The nature of logico-mathematical error

- Frege against psychologism

- Logico-mathematical cognition and physical environment

We aim to have talks by philosophers and philosophically-minded psychologists / cognitive scientists. A title, an abstract (300-500 words), and an academic CV should be sent to

[email protected]

before September 30. The presentation of the paper should take ca. 30 min; a 15 min Q&A will follow.

Registration is free. A modest sum will be allocated to every participant to help defray the costs of travel and accommodation.