1 - 3 August 2018, International Conference "Varieties of Mathematical Abstraction", Vienna, Austria

Mathematical abstraction is a general phenomenon, a process by which we generalize from the properties and relations of particular objects to the abstract, mathematical structure that those objects exhibit. It is a process that can be iterated to achieve higher levels of abstraction, and plays an important role in shaping how we think about and understand empirical phenomena. The main objective of this conference is to explore the philosophical significance of mathematical abstraction from different perspectives: metaphysically, epistemologically, historically, and practically. Particular attention will be devoted to the role of abstraction in mathematical practice.