10-12 July 2012, Foundations of Mathematics: What are they and what are they for?, Cambridge, UK

The role of set theory as a foundation of mathematics has been criticized from various standpoints. The conference aims to shed light on this debate by asking what foundations of mathematics are and what they are for.

Some people understand foundations as providing a justification for mathematics; others as providing the subject matter of mathematics; others still as providing us with an arena within which to settle all questions of existence and proof in mathematics. The conference will bring together philosophers, logicians and mathematicians to discuss whether any of these senses of foundations should be privileged. The prospects for a pluralistic approach to foundational issues will also be considered.

For more information, see http://www.phil.cam.ac.uk/foundations/