How Relevant Has Logic Been To Mathematical Practice?

John Dawson, Professor Emeritus, Penn State University

Philadelphia Area Seminar on History of Mathematics

Thursday, April 25, 2019 6:00 pm EDT

St. Augustine Center, Room 300
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085

For centuries mathematics has been regarded as the exemplar of rigorous deductive reasoning. Yet for much of its history it has not been, and few universities today require mathematics graduates to have had a course in formal logic. To what extent then have results in formal logic actually affected progress in mathematics? And what accounts for the popular view that deductive logic is central to mathematical practice?
 
The Philadelphia Area Seminar on History of Mathematics will meet on Thursday, April 25, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Saint Augustine Center, Room 300.  (Parking Permits to follow in a second announcement.)
 
We begin with conversation and a light supper (donation $10.00). About 6:30-6:45 the talk will begin.