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Single Idea 10614

[from 'works' by Kurt Gödel, in 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 4. Axioms for Number / g. Incompleteness of Arithmetic ]

Full Idea

The concept of truth of sentences in a language cannot be defined in the language. This is the true reason for the existence of undecidable propositions in the formal systems containing arithmetic.

Gist of Idea

The real reason for Incompleteness in arithmetic is inability to define truth in a language

Source

Kurt Gödel (works [1930]), quoted by Peter Smith - Intro to Gödel's Theorems 21.6

Book Reference

Smith,Peter: 'An Introduction to Gödel's Theorems' [CUP 2007], p.182


A Reaction

[from a letter by Gödel] So they key to Incompleteness is Tarski's observations about truth. Highly significant, as I take it.