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The Reception of Gödel's Incompleteness Theorems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2022

John W Dawson Jr.
John W Dawson Jr.*
Affiliation:
Penn State/York and The Institute for Advanced Study
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Extract

“Die Arbeit über formal unentscheidbare Sätze wurde wie ein Erdbeben empfunden; insbesondere auch von Carnap.” - - (Popper 1980).

“Kurt Gödel's achievement in modern logic … is a landmark which will remain visible far in space and time.” - - John von Neumann

It is natural to invoke geological metaphors to describe the impact and the lasting significance of Gödel's incompleteness theorems. Indeed, how better to convey the impact of those results - - whose effect on Hilbert's program was so devastating and whose philosophical reverberations have yet to subside - - than to speak of tremors and shock waves? The image of shaken foundations is irresistible.

Type
Part VI. Invited Paper: History of Logic
Information
PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association , Volume 1984 , Issue 2: Volume Two: Symposia and Invited Papers 1984 , 1984 , pp. 252 - 271
Copyright
Copyright © 1985 by the Philosophy of Science Association

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