Mathematics as a Science of Patterns is the definitive exposition of Michael Resnik's distinctive view of the nature of mathematics. He calls mathematics a science on the grounds that it has a factual subject-matter and that mathematical knowledge is on a par with other scientific knowledge; in calling it a science of patterns he expresses his commitment to a structuralist philosophy of mathematics. He links this to a defence of realism about the metaphysics of mathematics - the view that mathematics is about things that really exist.

'interesting, well written . . . [a] timely and important addition to contemporary philosophy of mathematics.' British Journal for the Philosophy of Science

Mathematics as a Science of Patterns expounds a system of ideas about the nature of mathematics which Michael Resnik has been elaborating for a number of years. In calling mathematics a science he implies that it has a factual subject-matter and that mathematical knowledge is on a par with other scientific knowledge; in calling it a science of patterns he expresses his commitment to a structuralist philosophy of mathematics. He links this to a defence of realism about the metaphysics of mathematics--the view that mathematics is about things that really exist.