“It is in set theory that we encounter the greatest diversity of foundational opinions. This is because even the most devoted advocates of the various new axioms would not argue that these axioms are justified by any basic ‘intuition’ about sets. ... One may vary the rank of sets allowed. Conventional mathematics rarely needs to consider more than four or five iterations of the power set axiom applied to the set of integers. More iterations diminish our sense of the reality of the objects involved.”
“These doubts did not halt mathematical creation. Technicians working on the superstructure did not drop their tools and scurry down to the basement because some of their underpinning needed reinforcin...”
Foundations of mathematics
“The truth is that the mathematical sciences are growing in complete security and harmony. The ideas of Dedekind, Poincare, and Hilbert have been systematically developed with great success, without an...”
Foundations of mathematics
“As soon as I have put it into order I intend to write and if possible to publish a work on parallels. At this moment, it is not yet finished, but the way which I have followed promises me with certain...”
Foundations of mathematics
“I should regard it as a great misfortune if you were to allow yourself to be deterred by the 'clamors of the Bœotians' from explaining your views of geometry. From what Lambert has said and [Ferdinand...”
Foundations of mathematics
“The world is totally connected. Whatever explanation we invent at any moment is a partial connection, and its richness derives from the richness of such connections as we are able to make. ...mathemat...”
Foundations of mathematics