Q&A: Are Mathematical Propositions Composite?
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Are Mathematical Propositions Composite?
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I read in Kant’s introductions that he defines mathematical propositions as synthetic rather than analytic. I read his words several times and didn’t understand why. Do you agree with him? And if so, if you would be so kind, could you explain to me why?
Answer
I too have wondered about this more than once. His example is 7+5=12, and in my opinion that is an analytic proposition, not a synthetic a priori one.