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Full Idea
The laws of calculation and the rules of integers suffice for the construction of number theory.
Gist of Idea
Number theory just needs calculation laws and rules for integers
Source
David Hilbert (Axiomatic Thought [1918], [05])
Book Ref
'From Kant to Hilbert: sourcebook Vol. 2', ed/tr. Ewald,William [OUP 1996], p.1108
A Reaction
This is the confident Hilbert view that the whole system can be fully spelled out. Gödel made this optimism more difficult.