Background
Chihara, Charles Seiyo was born on July 19, 1932. Son of George I. and Mary N. (Fushiki) Chihara.
(Chihara here develops a mathematical system in which ther...)
Chihara here develops a mathematical system in which there are no existence assertions but only assertions of the constructibility of certain sorts of things. He utilizes this system in the analysis of the nature of mathematics, and discusses many recent works in the philosophy of mathematics from the viewpoint of the constructibility theory developed. This innovative analysis will appeal to mathematicians and philosophers of logic, mathematics, and science.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0198239750/?tag=2022091-20
(A powerful challenge to some highly influential theories,...)
A powerful challenge to some highly influential theories, this book offers a thorough critical exposition of modal realism, the philosophical doctrine that many possible worlds exist of which our own universe is just one. Chihara challenges this claim and offers a new argument for modality without worlds.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0199246556/?tag=2022091-20
(Charles Chihara's new book develops and defends a structu...)
Charles Chihara's new book develops and defends a structural view of the nature of mathematics, and uses it to explain a number of striking features of mathematics that have puzzled philosophers for centuries. The view is used to show that, in order to understand how mathematical systems are applied in science and everyday life, it is not necessary to assume that its theorems either presuppose mathematical objects or are even true. Chihara builds upon his previous work, in which he presented a new system of mathematics, the constructibility theory, which did not make reference to, or resuppose, mathematical objects. Now he develops the project further by analyzing mathematical systems currently used by scientists to show how such systems are compatible with this nominalistic outlook. He advances several new ways of undermining the heavily discussed indispensability argument for the existence of mathematical objects made famous by Willard Quine and Hilary Putnam. And Chihara presents a rationale for the nominalistic outlook that is quite different from those generally put forward, which he maintains have led to serious misunderstandings. A Structural Account of Mathematics will be required reading for anyone working in this field.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0199228078/?tag=2022091-20
Chihara, Charles Seiyo was born on July 19, 1932. Son of George I. and Mary N. (Fushiki) Chihara.
Bachelor of Science, Seattle University, 1954. Master of Science, Purdue University, 1956. Doctor of Philosophy, University Washington, 1960.
Instructor University Washington, Seattle, 1961-1962. Assistant professor University Illinois, Urbana, 1962-1963, University California, Berkeley, 1963-1968, associate professor, 1968-1974, professor philosophy department, 1974—2000, emeritus professor, since 2000.
(A powerful challenge to some highly influential theories,...)
(Charles Chihara's new book develops and defends a structu...)
(Chihara here develops a mathematical system in which ther...)
(no notes. clean pages.)
Married Carol J. Rosen, June 14, 1964. 1 child, Michelle N.