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Philosophy

The Reality of Abstract Objects Like Numbers

Quick fact

The Greek philosopher Plato believed numbers and other abstract objects exist in a separate, timeless realm, more real than the physical world. This view is called Platonism and remains influential in philosophy of mathematics today.

Why this is interesting

You can't touch the number 3, but does it exist? If you add two apples and two apples, you get four apples – but is the number 4 itself a real thing, or just a useful fiction?