Fork Tongue

In the Philosophy of Mathematics there is a foundation problem roughly described as a choice between: Formalism (psychologism/illusion) and Intuitionism (sign/non-dualism). However, to make it clear what we are up against Leo Strauss should be brought to memory, in that he suggested that a value is to be held to in the choices we make, and when we don’t make a choice, there are consequences.

Intuitionism:

“… is an approach where mathematics is considered to be purely the result of the constructive mental activity of humans rather than the discovery of fundamental principles claimed to exist in an objective reality.” Wiki

C.S. Peirce suggested that Mathematical notions evolved under the constraint of evolution on the mind. Given that he wrote “Most of us are in the habit of thinking that consciousness and psychic life are the same thing and otherwise greatly to overrate the functions of consciousness" what does he mean by “psychic life”? One could say that this was his insight in developing semiotics and the definition of sign, and a case for an interpretation of this is in The One Law of Mind.

However I can’t help but think that the lack of choice in this area contributes more than a little on the development of opinions through the functions of consciousness. This would equate to psychologism. There is an alternative to psychologism and this has implications on human evolution which I can’t help but personally feel that are timely. If we are to live in a human world, then human choices are to be made. Perhaps we can leave psychologism, and return home.