An Inquiry into the Practice of Proving in Low-Dimensional Topology

The aim of this article is to investigate specific aspects connected with visualization in the practice of a mathematical subfield: low-dimensional topology. Through a case study, it will be established that visualization can play an epistemic role. The background assumption is that the consideration of the actual practice of mathematics is relevant to address epistemological issues. It will be shown that in low-dimensional topology, justifications can be based on sequences of pictures. Three theses will be defended. First, the representations used in the practice are an integral part of the mathematical reasoning. As a matter of fact, they convey in a material form the relevant transitions and thus allow experts to draw inferential connections. Second, in low-dimensional topology experts exploit a particular type of manipulative imagination which is connected to intuition of two- and three-dimensional space and motor agency. This imagination allows recognizing the transformations which connect different pictures in an argument. Third, the epistemic—and inferential—actions performed are permissible only within a specific practice: this form of reasoning is subject-matter dependent. Local criteria of validity are established to assure the soundness of representationally heterogeneous arguments in low-dimensional topology

From singularities to graphs

In this paper I analyze the problems which led to the introduction of graphs as tools for studying surface singularities. I explain how such graphs were initially only described using words, but that several questions made it necessary to draw them, leading to the elaboration of a special calculus with graphs. This is a non-technical paper intended to be readable both by mathematicians and philosophers or historians of mathematics.Comment: 23 pages, 27 figures. Expanded version of the talk given at the conference "Quand la forme devient substance : puissance des gestes, intuition diagrammatique et ph\'enom\'enologie de l'espace", which took place at Lyc\'ee Henri IV in Paris from 25 to 27 January 201