 |
|
     |
|
|
|
Kurt Godel's incompleteness theorem - the claim that every formal system of mathematics contains an undecidable formula and that a system's consistency cannot be proven within the system - has been hailed as the mathematical equivalent of relativity and quantum mechanics, evidence, in the words of William Barrett, that "Mathematicians now know they can never reach rock bottom; in fact, there is no rock bottom, since mathematics has no self-subsistent reality independent of the human activity that mathematicians carry on." Not so, claims philosopher and novelist Rebecca Goldstein in Incompleteness, her recent book on Godel. On the contrary, Godel not only believed in a reality "out yonder" (to use Einstein's words) but believed that this objective reality include abstract entities like numbers. He was a thorough mathematical Platonist, and in fact his Platonic convictions led him to the theorem in the first place. Goldstein's lucid book captures the drama and significance of what Godel always considered his "discovery" (not invention), and describes treats the logical, mathematical, and philosophical issues with remarkable lucidity.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Monday, August 01, 2005 at 10:32 PM
Permission is given to use material on this site, provided the source is cited, blog entries are republished in full, and the author is notified in advance.
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
