The Autonomy of Mathematical Knowledge: Hilbert's Program Revisited - Softcover

Franks, Curtis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521183898 ISBN 13: 9780521183895

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2010

Synopsis

Most scholars think of David Hilbert's program as the most demanding and ideologically motivated attempt to provide a foundation for mathematics, and because they see technical obstacles in the way of realizing the program's goals, they regard it as a failure. Against this view, Curtis Franks argues that Hilbert's deepest and most central insight was that mathematical techniques and practices do not need grounding in any philosophical principles. He weaves together an original historical account, philosophical analysis, and his own development of the meta-mathematics of weak systems of arithmetic to show that the true philosophical significance of Hilbert's program is that it makes the autonomy of mathematics evident. The result is a vision of the early history of modern logic that highlights the rich interaction between its conceptual problems and technical development.

About this title

Book Description

The Autonomy of Mathematical Knowledge presents the philosophical ideas underlying David Hilbert's foundational program in a new light. Hilbert's program is traditionally regarded as a failure, but Curtis Franks weaves together an original historical account with philosophical analysis to show both its validity and its philosophical significance.

About the Author

Curtis Franks is Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy, The University of Notre Dame.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521183898
• ISBN 13: 9780521183895
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 228