Single Idea 22310

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 7. Formalism]

Full Idea

Gödel's theorem does not refute formalism outright, because the committed formalist need not recognise the metalinguistic notion of truth to which the theorem appeals.

Gist of Idea

The formalist defence against Gödel is to reject his metalinguistic concept of truth

Source

Michael Potter (The Rise of Analytic Philosophy 1879-1930 [2020], 45 'Log')

Book Reference

Potter,Michael: 'The Rise of Anaytic Philosophy 1879-1930' [Routledge 2020], p.305


A Reaction

The theorem was prior to Tarski's account of truth. Potter says Gödel avoided explicit mention of truth because of this problem. In general Gödel showed that there are truths outside the formal system (which is all provable).