fictionalism

Fictionalism is a philosophical stance within the philosophy of mathematics that addresses the existence of mathematical objects. It agrees with mathematical Platonism that mathematical sentences, such as "2 + 2 = 4," should be interpreted literally as statements about abstract objects like numbers. However, fictionalism diverges by asserting that these abstract objects do not actually exist.12

Therefore, fictionalists conclude that mathematical sentences are not literally true. Instead, they are considered true in a manner analogous to stories or pretense, offering a useful framework for understanding mathematical concepts without committing to the existence of abstract entities. This view is contrasted with nominalism, which denies the existence of mathematical objects and the truth of mathematical statements, and with Platonism, which affirms both.12