Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Journal | Volume | Article

174657

Sperimentare con i triangoli

Valeria Giardino

pp. 39-54

Abstract

It is possible to argue that the only ‘genuine’ experiments in mathematics are in fact thought experiments. Nevertheless, one preliminary question is to ask what genuine mathematica experiments are, and whether the activity of experimentation is a proper mathematical activity. In this article, I will consider which kind of conception of mathematics allows for the existence of experiments in mathematics and I will present the constraints these experiments are subject to. Then, I will discuss three examples to arrive at a general conclusion: experimentation is indeed a genuine mathematical activity, but its mechanisms are particular with respect to experimentation in the natural sciences.

Publication details

Published in:

(2009) Esperimenti mentali. Rivista di estetica 42.

Pages: 39-54

DOI: 10.4000/estetica.1832

Full citation:

Giardino Valeria (2009) „Sperimentare con i triangoli“. Rivista di estetica 42, 39–54.