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CfP special issue of JICPR on "Pluralism in Mathematics"

Deadline: 15 July 2016

Professors Mihir Kumar Chakraborty and Michele Friend are co-editing a special issue of the Journal of Indian Council of Philosophical Research (JICPR). This will be the first collection of edited papers on the subject of mathematical pluralism in the world.

"Mathematical pluralism" means many things. It is a family resemblance concept that includes at least:
(1)pluralism in methodology or procedure;
(2)pluralism in theories (individuated by sets of axioms and rules of inference);
(3)pluralism in underlying logic;
(4)pluralism in truth;
(5)pluralism in ontology; and
(6)pluralism in foundations.

"Pluralism" is an attitude. It means having a principled tolerance towards whatever it is one is pluralist about. The tolerance is principled, that is, it is not a kindness or a quietism. It is not a laissez-faire attitude that comes from giving up trying to find what is correct. Moreover, the tolerance can be principled in different ways. One is that the pluralist might think that he or she can learn more, and not be led too far astray, by seriously employing or entertaining several: methodologies, theories, types of theory etc. A second reason is that on present evidence there is no good enough reason to be monist about: methodology, theory, type of theory, foundations and so on. This is a sort of principled sceptical attitude. A third reason is that one observes pluralism in the successful practice of mathematics.

The above words apply for plurality in mathematics due to causes internal to modern mathematical practices. There are external reasons that also give rise to plurality . these stem from the society and culture in which mathematics is born. The traditions of Arabic, Chinese and Indian mathematics were different from the Greek. Besides, mathematical practices of various ethnic communities are diverse. This volume will track both kinds of plurality, internal as well as external and project pluralism in mathematics through representative articles.

We shall accept papers on these, or related, themes. If you are not sure that your topic falls within "mathematical pluralism", you may send in an abstract for evaluation of relevance to or by 20 May Regardless of whether you have sent in an abstract, papers are due 15 July 2016. Papers should be between 6,000 and 10,000 words. Please submit the paper online in both MSWord/Latex and PDF formats through the Editorial Manager System of JICPR, clearly mentioning that the paper is meant for the special issue on Pluralism in Mathematics. Instructions for online submission are available at the JICPR-Springer website (http://www.springer.com/philosophy/journal/40961/PSE). After being refereed and approved papers will be collated in JICPR, volume 33.3.

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