Tag Archives: mathematics

Why should we believe formal mathematical proofs?

Posted on 2 February, 2011 by Simon

K Bryan finds philosophical complexity behind the procedures of formal proof, and writes that their power to persuade lies with their reader, not in themselves.

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Audio clip: the Principia Mathematica, 100 years on

Posted on 8 January, 2011 by Simon

Short but sweet overview of Russell and Whitehead’s classic and revolutionary account of the derivation of arithmetic from a (formal) logical base. The interview below, at 5-and-a-half minutes, is just far too short for a book of the depth (and … Continue reading →

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