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Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Mathematics as Second-Order Chisel: A Philosophy of Mathematics

Authors: Qin, Han;

Mathematics as Second-Order Chisel: A Philosophy of Mathematics

Abstract

Full bilingual text and framework available at self-as-an-end.net — Framework reference: self-as-an-end.net/framework.html This paper offers a structural answer to Kant's question "How are synthetic a priori judgments possible?" within the Self-as-an-End framework: a priori = the transcendental ground is exceptionless; synthetic = the subject chisels out a new degree of freedom. Mathematics is the first concrete instance of this answer. Philosophy chisels chaos and constructs the law of identity (A=A). The law of identity is exceptionless—this is the source of the "a priori" in mathematical judgments. The law of identity automatically exposes the dimension of quantity ("more than one"); the subject exercises negation upon quantity ("two is not three") and constructs the law of non-contradiction (A cannot simultaneously be not-A)—this is the source of the "synthetic." Both chiseling and constructing are free acts of the subject (invention); the object of study (the law of identity) is exceptionlessly there (discovery). The "invention vs. discovery" debate is thereby dissolved. The paper establishes seven contributions: (1) the core thesis of mathematics as operation upon the law of identity; (2) the law of excluded middle as discrete special case of non-contradiction; (3) the ontological status of mathematical objects; (4) a structural formulation of Gödel's incompleteness theorem; (5) the boundary of exact solvability as the boundary of mathematics' exceptionlessness; (6) the in-principle impossibility of quantifying the construct's coerciveness; (7) the closure of the meta-question "Does mathematics necessarily have open problems?" Part of the Self-as-an-End Theory Series.

Keywords

synthetic a priori, formalism, Self-as-an-End, exact solvability, second-order chisel, law of identity, chisel-construct cycle, Kant, invention vs discovery, Gödel incompleteness, law of non-contradiction, mathematical realism, mathematical ontology, intuitionism, philosophy of mathematics

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
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