In 1931 Kurt Godel published his fundamental paper, "On Formally Undecidable Propositions of Principia Mathematica and Related Systems". This revolutionary paper challenged certain basic assumptions underlying much research in mathematics and logic. Godel received public recognition of his work in 1951 when he was awarded the first Albert Einstein Award for achievement in the natural sciences - perhaps the highest award of its kind in the United States. The award committee described his work in mathematical logic as "one of the greatest contributions to the sciences in recent times". However, few mathematicians of the time were equipped to understand the young scholar's complex proof. Ernest Nagel and James Newman provide a readable and accessible explanation to both scholars and non-specialists of the main ideas and broad implications of Godel's discovery. It offers every educated person with a taste for logic and philosophy the chance to understand a previously difficult and inaccessible subject. Marking the 50th anniversary of the original publication of Godel's Proof, New York University Press is proud to publish this special anniversary edition of one of its bestselling and most frequently translated books. With a new introduction by Douglas R. Hofstadter, this book will appeal students, scholars, and professionals in the fields of mathematics, computer science, logic and philosophy, and science.
Godel's Proof (Routledge Classics)
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"A little masterpiece of exegesis. Nature An excellent non-technical account of the substance of Gdels celebrated paper. Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society
About the Author
KURT GODEL taught at Vienna University in the 1930s and then became a Professor in the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University. ERNEST NAGEL was John Dewey Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University. JAMES R. NEWMAN was the author of What is Science. DOUGLAS R. HOFSTADTER is College of Arts and Sciences Professor of Computer Science and Cognitive Science at Indiana University and author of the Pulitzer-prize winning Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Simply magnificent. This book meets and exceeds the description on its back cover -- offering "any educated person with a taste for logic and philosophy the chance to satisfy his intellectual curiosity about a previously inaccessible subject." This book gives anyone with the interest and the motivation a solid, if not complete, understanding of the ideas underlying the proof. While it's true that someone very unfamiliar with mathematics (or, more importantly, with logic and mathematical thinking) would not get as much out of the book, it does a very good job of walking the reader through Gödel's complex but breathtakingly elegant reasoning. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By "ag94"
Format:Hardcover
For those interested, but uninitiated, in the philosophy of mathematics or mathematical philosophy should seriously consider reading this excellent introductory text. In a highly concise and lucid manner, the authors successfully explain the origins, development and details of Godel's proof and examine some of the wider implication of it.
It is not, however, particularly easy reading. Unlike reading a novel, it requires some effort to fully understand and grapple with the strange but intriguing concepts discussed. No background or logic necessary; technicalities are generally avoided.
All in all, outstanding. Well worth buying.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I Read this book in an afternoon. While this book covers many of Godels ideas, concepts, and systematically works throught the incompleteness theory, it does however lack the fine detail of the actual theorem. I recomend this book for those who wish to find out aout Godels Proof, without wanting the know the fine details.
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Cling on by your mental fingertips
I read this cover to cover in one go and required painkillers at the end; I presume I was using parts of my grey matter that rarely get such a workout! Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2010 by S Gleadall
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Nagel and Newman
This book by Nagel and Newman is a great classic, clever and suited to the intellectually curious who have not the patience (or talent) for the full syntax of mathematical... Read more
Published on 16 July 2008 by R. H. Barton
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best introduction for the most revolutionary proof in Logic.
"Gödel's Proof" is a classic. Despite of being brief it doesn't sacrifice punctuality for length. Read more
Published on 13 Sep 2007 by Antonios F. Arkas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Short and to the Point
This is an excellent summary of Godel's main ideas. If you want to understand Godel's proof in less than 100 pages, look no further.
Published on 3 Jun 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is very clear and explains its subject thouroughly
This book, Godel's Proof, explains a complex subject in easy to understand language. It guides you through every step of the way, teaching all the information you need to... Read more
Published on 27 Feb 1997
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