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Full Idea
A homogeneous continuum which admits of the sort of divisibility needed to realise the infinitely small is nowhere to be found in reality.
Gist of Idea
There is no continuum in reality to realise the infinitely small
Source
David Hilbert (On the Infinite [1925], p.186)
Book Ref
'Philosophy of Mathematics: readings (2nd)', ed/tr. Benacerraf/Putnam [CUP 1983], p.186
A Reaction
He makes this remark as a response to Planck's new quantum theory (the year before the big works of Heisenberg and Schrödinger). Personally I don't see why infinities should depend on the physical world, since they are imaginary.
| 12456 | I aim to establish certainty for mathematical methods [Hilbert] |
| 12455 | The idea of an infinite totality is an illusion [Hilbert] |
| 9636 | My theory aims at the certitude of mathematical methods [Hilbert] |
| 12457 | There is no continuum in reality to realise the infinitely small [Hilbert] |
| 9633 | No one shall drive us out of the paradise the Cantor has created for us [Hilbert] |
| 12459 | The subject matter of mathematics is immediate and clear concrete symbols [Hilbert] |
| 12460 | We extend finite statements with ideal ones, in order to preserve our logic [Hilbert] |
| 18112 | Mathematics divides in two: meaningful finitary statements, and empty idealised statements [Hilbert] |
| 12461 | We believe all mathematical problems are solvable [Hilbert] |
| 12462 | Only the finite can bring certainty to the infinite [Hilbert] |