An essay on Philosophy, Mathematics and Culture

Abstract

The theme of this collection of essays has two elusive concepts, philosophy and mathematics, and the same for the combination of the two, Philosophy of Mathematics. I discussed the evolution of mathematics as an human endeavor, with a holistic historiographic stance. My tactics throughout the chapter was to examine the evidence for the creation of more or less systematic inquiries in different societies and at different periods, to investigate why they were defined or understood in the ways they were, on what basis particular individuals or groups claimed special expertise, and what lead to a professionalization.

Key-words: Philosophy; Mathematics; Philosophy of Mathematics; Holistic historiographic.