Single Idea 10116

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 8. Finitism]

Full Idea

Hilbert's project was to establish the consistency of classical mathematics using just finitary means, to convince all parties that no contradictions will follow from employing the infinitary notions and reasoning.

Gist of Idea

Hilbert aimed to prove the consistency of mathematics finitely, to show infinities won't produce contradictions

Source

report of David Hilbert (works [1900]) by A.George / D.J.Velleman - Philosophies of Mathematics Ch.6

Book Reference

George,A/Velleman D.J.: 'Philosophies of Mathematics' [Blackwell 2002], p.156


A Reaction

This is the project which was badly torpedoed by Gödel's Second Incompleteness Theorem.