Kurt Goedel and the Foundations of Mathematics: Horizons of Truth

Description

This volume commemorates the life, work and foundational views of Kurt Goedel (1906-78), most famous for his hallmark works on the completeness of first-order logic, the incompleteness of number theory, and the consistency - with the other widely accepted axioms of set theory - of the axiom of choice and of the generalized continuum hypothesis. It explores current research, advances and ideas for future directions not only in the foundations of mathematics and logic, but also in the fields of computer science, artificial intelligence, physics, cosmology, philosophy, theology and the history of science. The discussion is supplemented by personal reflections from several scholars who knew Goedel personally, providing some interesting insights into his life. By putting his ideas and life's work into the context of current thinking and perceptions, this book will extend the impact of Goedel's fundamental work in mathematics, logic, philosophy and other disciplines for future generations of researchers.

Matthias Baaz is currently University Professor and Head of the Group for Computational Logic at the Institute of Discrete Mathematics and Geometry at the Vienna University of Technology. Christos H. Papadimitriou is C. Lester Hogan Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, where he has taught since 1996 and where he is a former Miller Fellow. Dana S. Scott is Hillman University Professor Emeritus of Computer Science, Philosophy, and Mathematical Logic at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Hilary Putnam is Cogan University Professor Emeritus in the Department of Philosophy at Harvard University. Charles L. Harper, Jr is Chancellor for International Distance Learning and Senior Vice President of Global Programs at the American University System, as well as President of Vision-Five.com Consulting, in the United States.

'This is a very useful volume that brings together aspects of Goedel's work that relates to logic and mathematics ...' The Mathematical Intelligencer