Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Russell, Bertrand

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1330323033 ISBN 13: 9781330323038

Verlag: Forgotten Books, 2018

Inhaltsangabe

Excerpt from Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy

Those who, relying on the distinction between Mathematical Philosophy and the Philosophy of Mathematics, think that this book is out of place in the present Library, may be referred to what the author himself says on this head in the Preface. It is not necessary to agree with what he there suggests as to the readjustment of the field of philosophy by the transference from it to mathematics of such problems as those of class, continuity, infinity, in order to perceive the bearing of the definitions and discussions that follow on the work of traditional philosophy. If philosophers cannot consent to relegate the criticism of these categories to any of the special sciences, it is essential, at any rate, that they should know the precise meaning that the science of mathematics, in which these concepts play so large a part, assigns to them. If, on the other hand, there be mathematicians to whom these definitions and discussions seem to be an elabora tion and complication of the simple, it may be well to remind them from the side of philosophy that here, as elsewhere, apparent simplicity may conceal a complexity which it is the business of somebody, whether philosopher or mathematician, or, like the author of this volume, both in one, to unravel.

Über diesen Titel

Reseña del editor

Groundbreaking in its day the aim of this fantastic, if dated book by renowned philosopher Bertrand Russell is nothing less than to demonstrate that all of mathematics is describable by a single system of logic. It does so in a way which, while not simplistic, is still accessible to anyone willing to put in some thought. A foundation in logic and philosophy would certainly be a help when reading this book however.

This approach was later demonstrated to be impossible, with Kurt Godel's incompleteness theorems proving that for any consistent logical system there are some problems which cannot be solved within that system. Godel's work would not have been the same without these earlier attempts however, so they provide an essential context for understanding these later developments.

This does not mean that Russell's work is devoid of insight or use for its own sake however, as most of the individual sections as well as the history of mathematical philosophy are very valuable. Those whose interest is piqued by this book may wish to move on to Russell and Whitehead's Principia Mathematica for a more difficult and in depth work.

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This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Forgotten Books
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2018
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 1330323033
• ISBN 13: 9781330323038
• Einband: Tapa blanda
• Anzahl der Seiten: 218
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar