Includes bibliographical references (p.258-272) and index.
Contents:
1. Two notions of formality -- 2. On the very notion of a formal language -- 3. The history, purposes and limitations of formal languages -- 4. How we do reason, and the need for counterbalance in science -- 5. Formal languages and extended cognition -- 6. De-semantification -- 7. The debiasing effect of formalization -- Conclusion.
Summary:
"Formal Languages in Logic Formal languages are widely regarded as being above all mathematical objects, and as producing a greater level of precision and technical complexity in logical investigations because of this. Yet defining formal languages exclusively in this way offers only a partial and limited explanation of the impact which their use (and the uses of formalisms more generally elsewhere) actually has. In this book, Catarina Dutilh Novaes adopts a much wider conception of formal languages so as to investigate more broadly what exactly is going on when theorists put these tools to use. She looks at the history and philosophy of formal languages, and focuses on the cognitive impact of formal languages on human reasoning, drawing on their historical development, psychology, cognitive science, and philosophy"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.