Cambridge University Press eBooks· 2015· Book chapter
Proofs and Refutations
- 153citations
- 2015year
Short summary
This book argues that mathematics advances through a dynamic process of attempted proofs and subsequent critiques, challenging static views of mathematical certainty.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Mathematics progresses via a cycle of proofs and refutations.
- The book uses a dialogue format to explore mathematical problem-solving.
- It challenges the notion of mathematics as purely static and certain.
- The work is relevant to understanding mathematical discovery and methodology.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Imre Lakatos's Proofs and Refutations is an enduring classic, which has never lost its relevance. Taking the form of a dialogue between a teacher and some students, the book considers various solutions to mathematical problems and, in the process, raises important questions about the nature of mathematical discovery and methodology. Lakatos shows that mathematics grows through a process of improvement by attempts at proofs and critiques of these attempts, and his work continues to inspire mathematicians and philosophers aspiring to develop a philosophy of mathematics that accounts for both the static and the dynamic complexity of mathematical practice. With a specially commissioned Preface written by Paolo Mancosu, this book has been revived for a new generation of readers.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Cambridge University Press eBooks, 2015 · DOI ↗
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Field: Theoretical Computer Science
Theoretical Computer ScienceMathematics