@article{ART001394442},
author={Woosuk Park},
title={The Problem of Infinity in Medieval Philosophy: A Preliminary Survey},
journal={Philosophical Investigation},
issn={1598-7213},
year={2009},
volume={26},
pages={63-85},
doi={10.33156/philos.2009.26..003}
TY - JOUR
AU - Woosuk Park
TI - The Problem of Infinity in Medieval Philosophy: A Preliminary Survey
JO - Philosophical Investigation
PY - 2009
VL - 26
IS - null
PB - Institute of philosophy in Chung-Ang Univ.
SP - 63
EP - 85
SN - 1598-7213
AB - The problem of infinity in medieval philosophy is located at the crossroad of mathematics, history, and philosophy. In order to understand this problem, which shows extremely complicated features in the active interaction among the diverse disciplines, we need a map. This survey article aims at providing the readers with such a map by reporting Murdoch’s and Sylla’s studies. Though Murdoch enumerated five features as medieval philosophers’ innovation, we discuss these under two categories, i.e., the problem of the equalities of infinities and the problem of the infinite divisibility of continua. Focus of our discussion, in particular, is laid on Henry of Harclay, who played a central role in the medieval debates on the problem of infinity, and his critic William of Alnwick. Finally, by drawing attention to a case where medieval theory of supposition was applied in order to refute indivisibilism, and the two geometrical arguments used by Duns Scotus in the context of addressing angelic motion, it is pointed out that some aspects of medieval discussions of the problem of infinity might be interesting even to modern mathematicians.
KW - infinity;paradox of the infinity;continuity;Henry of Harclay;Duns Scotus;Murdoch;indivisibilism
DO - 10.33156/philos.2009.26..003
ER -
Woosuk Park. (2009). The Problem of Infinity in Medieval Philosophy: A Preliminary Survey. Philosophical Investigation, 26, 63-85.
Woosuk Park. 2009, "The Problem of Infinity in Medieval Philosophy: A Preliminary Survey", Philosophical Investigation, vol.26, pp.63-85. Available from: doi:10.33156/philos.2009.26..003
Woosuk Park "The Problem of Infinity in Medieval Philosophy: A Preliminary Survey" Philosophical Investigation 26 pp.63-85 (2009) : 63.
Woosuk Park. The Problem of Infinity in Medieval Philosophy: A Preliminary Survey. 2009; 26 63-85. Available from: doi:10.33156/philos.2009.26..003
Woosuk Park. "The Problem of Infinity in Medieval Philosophy: A Preliminary Survey" Philosophical Investigation 26(2009) : 63-85.doi: 10.33156/philos.2009.26..003
Woosuk Park. The Problem of Infinity in Medieval Philosophy: A Preliminary Survey. Philosophical Investigation, 26, 63-85. doi: 10.33156/philos.2009.26..003
Woosuk Park. The Problem of Infinity in Medieval Philosophy: A Preliminary Survey. Philosophical Investigation. 2009; 26 63-85. doi: 10.33156/philos.2009.26..003
Woosuk Park. The Problem of Infinity in Medieval Philosophy: A Preliminary Survey. 2009; 26 63-85. Available from: doi:10.33156/philos.2009.26..003
Woosuk Park. "The Problem of Infinity in Medieval Philosophy: A Preliminary Survey" Philosophical Investigation 26(2009) : 63-85.doi: 10.33156/philos.2009.26..003
