Gödel's incompleteness theorems (nonfiction)

Gödel's incompleteness theorems are two theorems of mathematical logic that demonstrate the inherent limitations of every formal axiomatic system containing basic arithmetic. These results, published by Kurt Gödel in 1931, are important both in mathematical logic and in the philosophy of mathematics.

The theorems are widely, but not universally, interpreted as showing that David Hilbert's program to find a complete and consistent set of axioms for all mathematics is impossible.

The first incompleteness theorem states that no consistent system of axioms whose theorems can be listed by an effective procedure (i.e., an algorithm) is capable of proving all truths about the arithmetic of the natural numbers. For any such formal system, there will always be statements about the natural numbers that are true, but that are unprovable within the system.

The second incompleteness theorem, an extension of the first, shows that the system cannot demonstrate its own consistency.

Employing a diagonal argument, Gödel's incompleteness theorems were the first of several closely related theorems on the limitations of formal systems.

They were followed by Tarski's undefinability theorem on the formal undefinability of truth, Church's proof that Hilbert's Entscheidungsproblem is unsolvable, and Alan Turing's theorem that there is no algorithm to solve the halting problem.

In the News

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  Mathematician Kurt Gödel says his incompleteness theorems will find application in detecting and preventing crimes against mathematical constants.

Fiction cross-reference

• Three is the Color of My True Love's Hair (analysis)

Nonfiction cross-reference

• David Hilbert (nonfiction)
• Kurt Gödel (nonfiction)

External links:

• Gödel's incompleteness theorems @ Wikipedia