Mathematics is full of precise and illuminating solutions to previously-confusing philosophical problems; so much so that you might call mathematics itself “precise philosophy”. For example:
What is the nature of space, extension, and continuity? Answer.
In general, whenever you see a “cryptic” definition of a concept in mathematics that generalizes but doesn’t superficially resemble some previous concept, you’re dealing with the answer to a question of the form “what is the ‘philosophical essence’ of concept X?”
Mathematicians have thus achieved the ultimate philosopher’s dream: answers of the form “the meaning of life is 42” which are true and meaningful!
Zeno’s paradoxes have been mentioned in another comment. For “theological” questions, see here.
And much later, it was shown that the geometric “truths” that were settled questions do not describe the physical world as had been settled. Indeed, it turned out that there are many geometries other than Euclidean geometry. Solved problems need not stay solved, even in mathematics.
Mathematics is full of precise and illuminating solutions to previously-confusing philosophical problems; so much so that you might call mathematics itself “precise philosophy”. For example:
What is the nature of space, extension, and continuity? Answer.
In general, whenever you see a “cryptic” definition of a concept in mathematics that generalizes but doesn’t superficially resemble some previous concept, you’re dealing with the answer to a question of the form “what is the ‘philosophical essence’ of concept X?”
Mathematicians have thus achieved the ultimate philosopher’s dream: answers of the form “the meaning of life is 42” which are true and meaningful!
Zeno’s paradoxes have been mentioned in another comment. For “theological” questions, see here.
Plato agreed, which is why he held up geometry as the standard for judging other “sciences”.
And much later, it was shown that the geometric “truths” that were settled questions do not describe the physical world as had been settled. Indeed, it turned out that there are many geometries other than Euclidean geometry. Solved problems need not stay solved, even in mathematics.