Dummett and the Problem of Abstract Objects

Dummett's views on the problem of abstract objects shifted significantly over the course of his philosophical career, and an examination of his views on this issue not only provides insight into his development; it also serves to elucidate his contribution and significance as a philosopher of language and mathematics. In the paper I attempt to demonstrate the way in which Dummett's treatment of the problem of abstract objects is instructive for a consideration of his philosophy as a whole. Section 1 sketches the development of Dummett's views on the problem from his attack on nominalism in the mid-1950's to his advocacy of a tolerant reductionist position in Frege: Philosophy of Mathematics. Section 2 then examines the significance of Dummett's views on abstract objects for his philosophical project more generally.