The Principles of Mathematics Revisited

Jaakko Hintikka author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:28th Apr '98

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Principles of Mathematics Revisited cover

Hintikka proposes a new logic and uses it to explore the foundations of mathematics.

This book, written by one of philosophy's pre-eminent logicians, argues that many of the basic assumptions common to logic, philosophy of mathematics and metaphysics are in need of change. Jaakko Hintikka proposes a new basic first-order logic and uses it to explore the foundations of mathematics. His innovative new logic will appeal to a wide variety of philosophers and mathematicians.This book, written by one of philosophy's pre-eminent logicians, argues that many of the basic assumptions common to logic, philosophy of mathematics and metaphysics are in need of change. It is therefore a book of critical importance to logical theory. Jaakko Hintikka proposes a new basic first-order logic and uses it to explore the foundations of mathematics. This new logic enables logicians to express on the first-order level such concepts as equicardinality, infinity, and truth in the same language. The famous impossibility results by Gödel and Tarski that have dominated the field for the last sixty years turn out to be much less significant than has been thought. All of ordinary mathematics can in principle be done on this first-order level, thus dispensing with the existence of sets and other higher-order entities.

'Hintikka's new logic is highly original and will prove appealing to logicians, philosophers of mathematics, and mathematicians concerned with the foundations of the discipline.' Studia Logica

ISBN: 9780521624985

Dimensions: 215mm x 140mm x 22mm

Weight: 362g

304 pages