Mathematical Indispensability and Arguments from Design

Abstract The recognition of striking regularities in the physical world plays a major role justification hypotheses and development new theories both natural sciences philosophy. However, while scientists consider only strictly as explanations for such regularities, philosophers also explore meta-natural hypotheses. One example is mathematical realism, which proposes existence abstract entities an explanation applicability mathematics sciences. Another theism, offers supernatural being design-like appearance cosmos. Although all defy empirical testing, there strong intuition that some them are more warranted than others. goal this paper to sharpen into clear criterion (in)admissibility facts. Drawing on recent debates about indispensability teleological arguments God, I argue admissible just case refers entity that, though not itself causally efficacious, guarantees instantiation efficacious actual cause regularity.