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Full Idea
The solid philosophical attitude that I think is required for the grounding of pure mathematics is this: In the beginning was the sign.
Gist of Idea
The grounding of mathematics is 'in the beginning was the sign'
Source
David Hilbert (works [1900]), quoted by A.George / D.J.Velleman - Philosophies of Mathematics Ch.6
Book Ref
George,A/Velleman D.J.: 'Philosophies of Mathematics' [Blackwell 2002], p.148
A Reaction
Why did people invent those particular signs? Presumably they were meant to designate something, in the world or in our experience.
| 10113 | The grounding of mathematics is 'in the beginning was the sign' [Hilbert] |
| 10115 | Hilbert substituted a syntactic for a semantic account of consistency [Hilbert, by George/Velleman] |
| 10116 | Hilbert aimed to prove the consistency of mathematics finitely, to show infinities won't produce contradictions [Hilbert, by George/Velleman] |
| 8717 | Hilbert wanted to prove the consistency of all of mathematics (which realists take for granted) [Hilbert, by Friend] |