What Mathematical Truth Need Not Be

Abstract

I might have titled this paper “In Defense of Eidophobia”, eidophobes, in Belnapese, being those who, for one reason or another, find the idea of abstract entities distasteful. Since Nuel himself is an eidophile, I occasionally found myself at philosophical odds with him. But one of the best things about being a student of Nuel’s was that he had no need for eidological clones. So in a sense perhaps the greatest tribute I could render to his pedagogy is this paper, which makes it very clear that my eidophobia has remained intact. Studying with Nuel Belnap, one never had to fear that the spirit of independent (even eidocidal) inquiry might be compromised.