Badiou and the Ontological Limits of Mathematics

0542477 - FLÚ 2022 RIV SI eng J - Journal Article
Hauser, Michael
Badiou and the Ontological Limits of Mathematics.
Filozofski Vestnik. Roč. 41, č. 2 (2020), s. 105-117. ISSN 0353-4510. E-ISSN 1581-1239
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA17-23955S
Institutional support: RVO:67985955
Keywords : Badiou * ontology * mathematics * Easton’s theorem * the real
OECD category: Philosophy, History and Philosophy of science and technology
Method of publishing: Open access
https://doi.org/10.3986/FV.41.2.05

Badiou’s philosophy draws upon mathematics as its scientific condition. The “axiomatic decision” for mathematics can be interpreted as a historically conditioned choice responding to contemporary sophistry that dismissed the concept of truth. However, various sections of mathematics (set theory, category theory, and theory of great cardinals) are selected for a condition of philosophy to become. This multi-conditioning is a symptom of a lacuna in Badiou’s philosophy that emerged with relating philosophy to this or that section of mathematics. The lacuna is explained with Easton’s theorem as the effect of the relation between philosophy (metastructure) and a section of mathematics (the presented situation). Easton’s theorem indicates ontological limits of mathematics. The door is open for the relating of philosophy to non-mathematical science (Marxism and Lacanian psychoanalysis).
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0320004