Mary Tiles facts for kids

Mary Tiles, born in 1946, is a smart thinker who studies philosophy and the history of math and science. She used to lead the philosophy department at the University of Hawaii at Manoa from 2006 to 2009 before she retired.

Her Journey in Learning

Mary Tiles loved learning from a young age. She went to Bristol University and earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in philosophy and math in 1967. Later, she earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in philosophy from Bristol in 1973.

She continued her studies at other famous universities. In 1974, she earned a Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) from Oxford. Then, in 1978, she received a Master of Arts (M.A.) from Cambridge.

After teaching and visiting other universities, Mary Tiles joined the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She became an associate professor of philosophy in 1989 and a full professor in 1992. She later served as the chair of the philosophy department before retiring in 2009.

What She Studied

Mary Tiles mainly focused on the philosophy and history of logic, mathematics, and science. She was especially interested in the ideas from French thinkers. Some of the people she studied include Gaston Bachelard, Georges Canguilhem, Bruno Latour, Michel Foucault, Pierre Bourdieu, Michel Serres, Jean-Claude Martzloff, Karine Chemla, Catherine Jami, and François Jullien.

Her Book on Set Theory

One of her important books is called The Philosophy of Set Theory: An Historical Introduction to Cantor's Paradise, published in 1989. This book shows how the philosophy of mathematics is closely connected to its history.

Even though some people thought the book could have more technical details, it was often suggested as a good starting point for college students interested in the philosophy of mathematics. It helps readers understand complex ideas in an easier way.