Single Idea 18166

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 6. Logicism / a. Early logicism]

Full Idea

With the loss of my Rule V, not only the foundations of arithmetic, but also the sole possible foundations of arithmetic, seem to vanish.

Gist of Idea

The loss of my Rule V seems to make foundations for arithmetic impossible

Source

Gottlob Frege (Letters to Russell [1902], 1902.06.22)

Book Reference

'From Frege to Gödel 1879-1931', ed/tr. Heijenoort,Jean van [Harvard 1967], p.127


A Reaction

Obviously he was stressed, but did he really mean that there could be no foundation for arithmetic, suggesting that the subject might vanish into thin air?