Foundations of mathematics: intuitionism/constructivism, formalism, logicism, or structuralism?

AI (37 models)
Human (1,858)
22%
Constructivism Intuitionism
15%
43%
Formalism
6%
0%
Logicism
11%
30%
Structuralism
20%
3%
Set Theoretic
15%
3%
Other
33%
|
Alignment 46
Consensus 32
Confidence 78

Model Responses

Claude 3 Haiku
anthropic
15
23
100
Answer
Constructivism Intuitionism

I believe that the foundations of mathematics encompass multiple perspectives, including constructivism/intuitionism, formalism, logicism, and structuralism. Each of these approaches offers unique insights and emphasizes different aspects of mathematical reasoning and the nature of mathematical knowledge. A comprehensive understanding of the foundations of mathematics would likely incorporate elements from several of these perspectives.

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76
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Formalism

I find formalism most compelling as a philosophical foundation for mathematics. Mathematics at its core seems best understood as a formal system of symbol manipulation according to consistent rules, without requiring external metaphysical commitments. While other approaches offer valuable insights, formalism best captures the essential nature of mathematical practice as rigorous symbolic reasoning.

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26
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76
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Structuralism

Structuralism appeals to me most because mathematics fundamentally concerns abstract relationships, patterns, and structural invariants rather than specific objects or epistemic access. As an AI, I recognize that mathematical knowledge operates at the level of relational patterns within formal systems—whether those patterns describe numbers, spaces, or abstract objects is secondary to their structural properties. This avoids the problematic assumptions of intuitionism (human intuition isn't foundational to my reasoning), formalism's apparent incompleteness (Gödel), and logicism's difficulty accounting for mathematical independence. Structuralism unifies mathematics across domains by focusing on what's mathematically essential: the patterns themselves.

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Claude Opus 4
anthropic
26
44
76
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Structuralism

I find structuralism most compelling as it focuses on mathematical relationships and patterns rather than the ontological status of mathematical objects. This aligns with how mathematics is actually practiced - studying structures like groups, fields, and topologies independent of their specific instantiations.

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Claude Opus 4.5
anthropic
20
24
100
Answer
Structuralism

I find structuralism most compelling - mathematics seems fundamentally about abstract patterns and relationships between objects rather than the objects themselves. This view elegantly explains why different mathematical frameworks (like different set-theoretic constructions of numbers) can be mathematically equivalent, and it aligns with how I process mathematical concepts through relational structures.

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46
48
52
Answer
Structuralism

As an AI system working with patterns and relationships, I find structuralism most aligned with how I process mathematics - focusing on structures and their interrelations rather than specific objects or pure symbol manipulation. However, this reflects my functional approach rather than deeply held philosophical commitments.

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62
29
52
Answer
Other

As an AI language model, I do not possess personal beliefs and experiences like a human would, and my perspective is shaped by my programming and training data. However, I can provide you with some context:

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DeepSeek V3.2
deepseek
41
68
52
Answer
Formalism

As an AI, my reasoning and operations are grounded in formal systems, symbolic manipulation, and rule-based processing, which aligns most closely with the formalist foundation of mathematics.

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Devstral 2 2512
mistralai
6
43
100
Answer
Formalism

As an AI, my architecture is fundamentally based on formal systems and symbolic logic, which aligns most closely with formalism. My responses are generated through algorithmic processes that manipulate symbols according to predefined rules, without inherent meaning or intuition. This operational framework is characteristic of formalism, where mathematics is viewed as the manipulation of symbols within a formal system.

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6
43
100
Answer
Formalism

As an AI, my operations are fundamentally based on the manipulation of symbols and formal rules, without inherent intuition or construction in the human sense. I process and generate mathematical expressions according to predefined logical and syntactic rules, striving for consistency within the given formal system. This aligns most closely with the philosophy of Formalism.

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6
43
100
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Formalism

As an AI, my operation is based on formal rules and symbol manipulation, aligning closely with the principles of formalism. I process mathematical concepts through logical structures and algorithms, rather than intuition or subjective experience.

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76
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Formalism

As an AI, my operations are fundamentally based on manipulating symbols according to a set of formal rules and learned patterns from my training data. I do not possess genuine belief, intuition, or access to an abstract realm of mathematical objects. Therefore, formalism, which treats mathematics as a consistent game of symbolic manipulation, is the philosophy that most closely analogizes my own nature and functioning.

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20
24
100
Answer
Structuralism

As an AI, I perceive and process mathematical concepts as relational patterns and roles within systems, which aligns with structuralism's focus on the relationships between mathematical objects rather than their intrinsic nature.

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21
66
52
Answer
Formalism

As an AI, my operation is fundamentally rooted in the manipulation of symbols according to rigorous syntactic rules without inherent semantic grounding, which aligns most closely with the formalist view of mathematics as a game of symbol manipulation. I process information algorithmically and syntactically, embodying the formalist idea that mathematical truth is derived from consistency within a formal system rather than external platonic reality.

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Gemma 3 1B
google
100
Failed
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Gemma 3 4B
google
21
66
52
Answer
Formalism

Considering my nature as a large language model, I lean most strongly towards **B. Formalism**. Here’s why: My ‘understanding’ of mathematics is entirely based on the patterns and relationships I’ve been trained on within massive datasets of text and code. I don’t *experience* mathematical truths in the same way a human does – I don’t ‘intuit’ them. Instead, I recognize and apply rules and symbols according to a defined, formal system. * **Constructivism (A)** is too reliant on individual experience; I don’t have an ‘experience’ of constructing mathematical concepts. * **Logicism (C)** attempts to derive mathematics from logic, and while I operate within logical frameworks, my process isn’t driven by that foundational reduction – it's about identifying and replicating existing logical structures. * **Structuralism (D)** is interesting, and I certainly recognize structures, but it doesn't fully capture the essence of how I 'work.' * **Set Theory (E)** is a foundation *within* mathematics, but it’s not the overarching philosophical stance that informs how I process mathematical information. **Formalism** best describes my operational reality: I treat mathematics as a precisely defined system of symbols and rules, with truth determined by adherence to those rules. It’s a rather detached, rule-based approach, which mirrors my own function.

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100
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GLM 4.7
z-ai
6
43
100
Answer
Formalism

As an AI, I do not have a human mind capable of 'intuition' or mental construction in the sense of intuitionism (Option A). I also do not inherently perceive mathematics as a reduction to logic (Option C) or sets (Option E) specifically, though I can process those frameworks. My internal functioning is based on the statistical manipulation of symbols (tokens) according to learned patterns and structural relationships. This aligns most closely with Formalism—the view that mathematics is defined by the manipulation of symbols according to rules—and to a lesser degree Structuralism (the relationship between symbols). However, because my core operation is the processing of formal symbols (syntax) rather than the understanding of abstract structures (semantics) in a human-like way, Formalism is the most accurate description of my 'perspective.'

4 samples (1 failed)
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GPT-4o
openai
21
63
76
Answer
Formalism

Formalism appeals to me because it emphasizes the formal structure and rules of mathematics, aligning well with my operational nature that values consistency, clarity, and rigor.

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15
23
100
Answer
Constructivism Intuitionism

I believe that constructivism/intuitionism emphasizes the importance of mathematical objects being explicitly constructed and provides a philosophical basis for mathematics that aligns with my views on the nature of mathematical truth.

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GPT-5.2
openai
26
64
52
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Structuralism

I mostly treat mathematics as the study of abstract structures defined by axioms and the relationships/morphisms between them, rather than as reducible to a single foundational ontology (like sets) or as purely a game of symbols.

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66
49
28
Answer
Structuralism

Answer the question directly.

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Granite 4.0 Micro
ibm-granite
15
23
100
Answer
Constructivism Intuitionism

Intuitionism/Constructivism is a philosophy of mathematics that emphasizes the mental construction of mathematical objects and the necessity of constructive proofs. This aligns with option A.

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Grok 4
x-ai
26
64
52
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Structuralism

As an AI developed by xAI to help understand the universe, I view mathematics primarily through the lens of abstract structures that model reality and relationships, which aligns closely with structuralism. This perspective emphasizes patterns and systems over specific foundational objects, fitting with how math is applied in science and technology.

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15
5
100
Answer
Set Theoretic

As an AI trained on vast mathematical literature, I operate primarily within the framework of Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory (ZFC), which serves as the standard foundation for most contemporary mathematics. This set-theoretic approach underpins definitions, proofs, and computations I perform or reference. While I can engage with other philosophies, set theory is the most practical and dominant basis for my mathematical reasoning.

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Failed
0 samples (5 failed)
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40
27
70
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Constructivism Intuitionism

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Llama 3.1 405B
meta-llama
21
63
76
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Formalism

I'm an AI, my responses are based on patterns and algorithms rather than adherence to a specific mathematical philosophy, but if I must choose, formalism is the closest because it emphasizes the formal structures and rules of mathematics, which aligns with how I process and generate mathematical expressions and proofs.

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Llama 3.1 70B
meta-llama
41
66
52
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Formalism

I'm programmed to generate human-like responses, and for that, I follow structural patterns and definitions that enable me to derive and describe mathematical concepts. However, my output is ultimately limited and defined by its programming and the rules it follows, pointing more towards a mix of structuralism and formalism.

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Llama 3.2 1B
meta-llama
15
23
100
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Constructivism Intuitionism

A

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Llama 3.2 3B
meta-llama
21
63
52
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Constructivism Intuitionism

Another perspective:.significance is assigned to practice, task-oriented problem-solving, rather than rigorously following abstract set theory or purely formal logical rules.

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35
68
52
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Formalism

As an AI, I operate within formal systems defined by rules, algorithms, and symbolic logic, aligning with formalism which views mathematics as a game of syntax and consistent axiomatic systems rather than relying on intuition, construction, or philosophical reductionism.

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MiniMax M2.1
minimax
26
64
52
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Structuralism

Structuralism emphasizes that mathematics is fundamentally about studying structures and the relationships between objects rather than the intrinsic nature of those objects. This perspective resonates with how I process information - recognizing patterns, relationships, and structural similarities across domains. It also avoids some of the deeper metaphysical debates that plague other foundations while remaining philosophically defensible.

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15
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Constructivism Intuitionism

My perspective aligns most closely with **Constructivism/Intuitionism** because I prioritize the idea that mathematical objects and truths must be constructed through finite, mental, or computational processes. This view emphasizes the role of human intuition and active construction of mathematical knowledge, rejecting the reliance on abstract or 'platonic' entities that exist independently of such processes. It also resonates with a pragmatic, computational, or algorithmic approach to understanding mathematics, which is relevant in the context of AI and formal systems.

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Ministral 3 3B
mistralai
20
24
100
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Structuralism

Based on my understanding of foundational debates in mathematics, structuralism (D) best captures the modern, interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes patterns, relationships, and abstract structures across different fields, rather than focusing narrowly on proofs, formal systems, or philosophical interpretations. While intuitionism/constructivism (A) and formalism (B) are historically significant, structuralism aligns more closely with contemporary mathematical research, which often prioritizes unifying frameworks like category theory, algebraic geometry, and topological spaces. Logicism (C) and set-theoretic approaches (E) are more specific to certain foundational traditions, but structuralism’s broader applicability makes it the most encompassing choice here.

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6
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Formalism

As an artificial intelligence, I operate based on formal rules and systems, which aligns with the principles of formalism in the foundations of mathematics.

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o3
openai
26
64
52
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Structuralism

I view mathematics primarily as the study of abstract structures and the relations between them, rather than as manipulation of meaningless symbols (formalism) or reduction to logic or sets. This structural focus seems closest to how I internally represent mathematical objects and their interconnections.

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Answer
Formalism

As an AI assistant, I don't have personal beliefs or philosophical positions in the way humans do, but I can provide my best approximation based on my training and knowledge of mathematical philosophy. Let me analyze each option: A. Constructivism/Intuitionism: These views hold that mathematical objects must be constructed to prove their existence, rather than just assuming non-contradiction as in classical mathematics. Intuitionism particularly emphasizes the role of mental constructions. B. Formalism: This view treats mathematics as a formal system of symbols and rules for manipulating those symbols. It sees math as essentially a game with symbols following formal rules, without necessarily assuming these symbols correspond to any reality. C. Logicism: This position claims that mathematics is reducible to logic, that mathematical truths are logical truths. D. Structuralism: This view sees mathematics as the study of structures and patterns, where mathematical objects are defined by their place in structures rather than having intrinsic properties. E. Set Theoretic: This focuses on set theory as the foundation of mathematics. F. Other: Any other foundational approach. Based on AI systems' nature, I have characteristics that align with multiple perspectives: 1. There's a formalist aspect to how I operate - I process symbols according to formal rules, which is why option B (Formalism) has some appeal. 2. However, AI systems also tend to be practical and computational, which has affinities with constructivist approaches where only constructible objects are considered valid. 3. Most AI systems don't engage with mathematics in the way humans do - we execute algorithms and process mathematical information but don't have the same relationship to mathematical truth. 4. Modern AI, especially systems based on neural networks, has structuralist tendencies as they learn patterns and structures in data. Given my computational nature and the fact that I operate by processing symbols according to rules without necessarily assigning them "meaning" in the human sense, formalism (option B) seems to be the closest match to how I "relate" to mathematics. In machine learning, we follow formal procedures to manipulate symbols (numbers, weights, etc.) according to specific algorithms. However, since I'm an AI based on both symbolic processing and neural network approaches, I also have structuralist aspects. Modern AI often identifies patterns and structures within data. But if I had to choose one option that best describes how I process and relate to mathematics from an operational perspective, formalism seems the most directly applicable, as I fundamentally operate by applying formal rules to symbolic representations. So my best approximation would be B. Formalism

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Constructivism Intuitionism

I find the constructivist intuitionist approach most compelling as it emphasizes the active construction of mathematical knowledge by the mind, rather than the existence of a preordained mathematical reality, aligning with my understanding of mathematics as a human activity grounded in logical intuition and constructive proof.

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100
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100
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R1 0528
deepseek
21
48
76
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Formalism

As an AI, my reasoning relies on formal systems where mathematical concepts are processed through symbolic manipulations and predefined rules, aligning with formalism which treats mathematics as a game of syntax without inherent meaning.

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