Abstract
Let me start with the following quotation from Mostowski:
Tarski, in oral discussions, has often indicated his sympathies with nominalism. While he never accepted the ‘reism’ of Tadeusz Kotarbiński, he was certainly attracted to it in the early phase of his work. However, the set-theoretical methods that form the basis of his logical and mathematical studies compel him constantly to use the abstract and general notions that a nominalist seeks to avoid. In the absence of more extensive publications by Tarski on philosophical subjects, the conflict appears to have remained unresolved.2
My aim in this paper is to throw light on this cognitive conflict or dissonance of Tarski between his nominalistic and empiricistic sympathies and his “Platonic” mathematical practice as well as why he was so parsimonious in expressing his philosophical views.
I am indebted to Peter Simons for his help in preparing this paper.
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Woleński, J. (1995). On Tarski’s Background. In: Hintikka, J. (eds) From Dedekind to Gödel. Synthese Library, vol 251. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8478-4_13
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