  The purpose of this project is to outline various philosophies on the
metaphysics of mathematics that have been prominent since the time of Cantor,
highlighting some biographical aspects that have influenced these ideas as
well. The main topics will be the independent existence of mathematics and
controversies over the nature of the mathematical infinite. After describing
these ideas, I will demonstrate some of the similarities that are common to
these philosophies, showing that despite reaching different conclusions many
are guided by the same driving idea.
