Accessibility navigation


Conjecture, proof, and sense in Wittgenstein's philosophy of mathematics

Schroeder, S. (2011) Conjecture, proof, and sense in Wittgenstein's philosophy of mathematics. In: 34th International Wittgenstein Symposium , 7 - 13 of August 2011 , Kirchberg am Wechsel, pp. 459-471, https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110329018.459.

Full text not archived in this repository.

It is advisable to refer to the publisher's version if you intend to cite from this work. See Guidance on citing.

To link to this item DOI: 10.1515/9783110329018.459

Abstract/Summary

One of the key tenets in Wittgenstein’s philosophy of mathematics is that a mathematical proposition gets its meaning from its proof. This seems to have the paradoxical consequence that a mathematical conjecture has no meaning, or at least not the same meaning that it will have once a proof has been found. Hence, it would appear that a conjecture can never be proven true: for what is proven true must ipso facto be a different proposition from what was only conjectured. Moreover, it would appear impossible that the same mathematical proposition be proven in different ways. — I will consider some of Wittgenstein’s remarks on these issues, and attempt to reconstruct his position in a way that makes it appear less paradoxical.

Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Arts, Humanities and Social Science > School of Humanities > Philosophy
ID Code:26205
Additional Information:Epistemology: Contexts, Values, Disagreement Proceedings of the 34th International Ludwig Wittgenstein Symposium in Kirchberg, 2011 Edited by Jäger, Christoph / Löffler, Winfried DE GRUYTER 2007 Pages: 459-474 eBook ISBN: 9783110329018
Publisher:Ontos Verlag

University Staff: Request a correction | Centaur Editors: Update this record

Page navigation