Single Idea 10256

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 2. Proof in Mathematics]

Full Idea

For intuitionists, proof is inherently informal.

Gist of Idea

For intuitionists, proof is inherently informal

Source

Stewart Shapiro (Philosophy of Mathematics [1997], 6.7)

Book Reference

Shapiro,Stewart: 'Philosophy of Mathematics:structure and ontology' [OUP 1997], p.205


A Reaction

This thought is quite appealing, so I may have to take intuitionism more seriously. It connects with my view of coherence, which I take to be a notion far too complex for precise definition. However, we don't want 'proof' to just mean 'persuasive'.