The Logic of Provability
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REFERENCE in ARITHMETIC §1. to Prove His Famous First
REFERENCE IN ARITHMETIC LAVINIA PICOLLO Abstract. Self-reference has played a prominent role in the development of metamath- ematics in the past century, starting with G¨odel'sfirst incompleteness theorem. Given the nature of this and other results in the area, the informal understanding of self-reference in arithmetic has sufficed so far. Recently, however, it has been argued that for other related issues in metamathematics and philosophical logic a precise notion of self-reference and, more generally, reference, is actually required. These notions have been so far elusive and are surrounded by an aura of scepticism that has kept most philosophers away. In this paper I suggest we shouldn't give up all hope. First, I introduce the reader to these issues. Second, I discuss the conditions a good notion of reference in arithmetic must satisfy. Accordingly, I then introduce adequate notions of reference for the language of first-order arithmetic, which I show to be fruitful for addressing the aforementioned issues in metamathematics. x1. To prove his famous first incompleteness result for arithmetic, G¨odel[5] developed a technique called \arithmetization" or “g¨odelization".It consists in codifying the expressions of the language of arithmetic with numbers, so that the language can `talk' about its own formulae. Then, he constructed a sentence in the language that he described as stating its own unprovability in a system satisfying certain conditions,1 and showed this sentence to be undecidable in the system. His method led to enormous progress in metamathematics and computer science, but also in philosophical logic and other areas of philosophy where formal methods became popular. -
Forcopy-Editing Only
i i “Abstractionism_OUP_for_copyediting” — 2016/4/20 — 11:40 — page 1 — #10 i i 1 Introduction to Abstractionism Philip A. Ebert and Marcus Rossberg 1.1 WHAT IS ABSTRACTIONISM? Abstractionism in philosophy of mathematics has its origins in Gottlob Frege’s logicism—a position Frege developed in the late nineteenth and early twenti- eth century. Frege’s main aim wasfor to reduce copy-editing arithmetic and analysis to only logic in order to provide a secure foundation for mathematical knowledge. As is well known, Frege’s development of logicism failed. The infamous Basic Law V— one of the six basic laws of logic— Frege proposed in his magnum opus Grund- gesetze der Arithmetik—is subject to Russell’s Paradox. The striking feature of Frege’s Basic Law V is that it takes the form of an abstraction principle. The general form of an abstraction principle can by symbolised like this:1 ↵ = β ↵ β §( ) §( ) $ ⇠ where ‘ ’ is a term-forming operator applicable to expression of the type of ↵ § and β, and is an equivalence relation on entities denoted by expressions of ⇠ that type. Accordingly, abstraction principles are biconditionals that feature an equivalence relation on the right-hand side and an identity statement on the left-hand side. The abstracta denoted by the terms featuring in the identity statement on the left are taken to be introduced, in some sense, by the ab- straction principle, giving the equivalence on the right-hand side conceptual priority over them. More on this below. Frege’s ill-fated Basic Law V, involves co-extentionality (of functions) as the relevant equivalence relation on the right-hand side, introducing, what Frege – termed value-ranges, "' " , on the left:2 ( ) 1Here and below, we will omit prefixed universal quantifiers in abstraction principles. -
Yesterday's Algorithm: Penrose on the Gödel Argument
Yesterday’s Algorithm: Penrose and the Gödel Argument §1. The Gödel Argument. Roger Penrose is justly famous for his work in physics and mathematics but he is notorious for his endorsement of the Gödel argument (see his 1989, 1994, 1997). This argument, first advanced by J. R. Lucas (in 1961), attempts to show that Gödel’s (first) incompleteness theorem can be seen to reveal that the human mind transcends all algorithmic models of it1. Penrose's version of the argument has been seen to fall victim to the original objections raised against Lucas (see Boolos (1990) and for a particularly intemperate review, Putnam (1994)). Yet I believe that more can and should be said about the argument. Only a brief review is necessary here although I wish to present the argument in a somewhat peculiar form. Let us suppose that the human cognitive abilities that underlie our propensities to acquire mathematical beliefs on the basis of what we call proofs can be given a classical cognitive psychological or computational explanation (henceforth I will often use ‘belief’ as short for ‘belief on the basis of proof’). These propensities are of at least two types: the ability to appreciate chains of logical reasoning but also the ability to recognise ‘elementary proofs’ or, it would perhaps be better to say, elementary truths, such as if a = b and b = c then a = c, without any need or, often, any possibility of proof in the first sense. On this supposition, these propensities are the realization of a certain definite algorithm or program somehow implemented by the neural hardware of the brain. -
Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem for Mathematicians
G¨odel'sIncompleteness Theorem for Mathematicians Burak Kaya METU [email protected] November 23, 2016 Burak Kaya (METU) METU Math Club Student Seminars November 23, 2016 1 / 21 Hilbert wanted to formalize all mathematics in an axiomatic system which is consistent, i.e. no contradiction can be obtained from the axioms. complete, i.e. every true statement can be proved from the axioms. decidable, i.e. given a mathematical statement, there should be a procedure for deciding its truth or falsity. In 1931, Kurt G¨odelproved his famous incompleteness theorems and showed that Hilbert's program cannot be achieved. In 1936, Alan Turing proved that Hilbert's Entscheindungsproblem cannot be solved, i.e. there is no general algorithm which will decide whether a given mathematical statement is provable (from a given set of axioms.) Hilbert's program In 1920's, David Hilbert proposed a research program in the foundations of mathematics to provide secure foundations to mathematics and to eliminate the paradoxes and inconsistencies discovered by then. Burak Kaya (METU) METU Math Club Student Seminars November 23, 2016 2 / 21 consistent, i.e. no contradiction can be obtained from the axioms. complete, i.e. every true statement can be proved from the axioms. decidable, i.e. given a mathematical statement, there should be a procedure for deciding its truth or falsity. In 1931, Kurt G¨odelproved his famous incompleteness theorems and showed that Hilbert's program cannot be achieved. In 1936, Alan Turing proved that Hilbert's Entscheindungsproblem cannot be solved, i.e. there is no general algorithm which will decide whether a given mathematical statement is provable (from a given set of axioms.) Hilbert's program In 1920's, David Hilbert proposed a research program in the foundations of mathematics to provide secure foundations to mathematics and to eliminate the paradoxes and inconsistencies discovered by then. -
Notes on Incompleteness Theorems
The Incompleteness Theorems ● Here are some fundamental philosophical questions with mathematical answers: ○ (1) Is there a (recursive) algorithm for deciding whether an arbitrary sentence in the language of first-order arithmetic is true? ○ (2) Is there an algorithm for deciding whether an arbitrary sentence in the language of first-order arithmetic is a theorem of Peano or Robinson Arithmetic? ○ (3) Is there an algorithm for deciding whether an arbitrary sentence in the language of first-order arithmetic is a theorem of pure (first-order) logic? ○ (4) Is there a complete (even if not recursive) recursively axiomatizable theory in the language of first-order arithmetic? ○ (5) Is there a recursively axiomatizable sub-theory of Peano Arithmetic that proves the consistency of Peano Arithmetic (even if it leaves other questions undecided)? ○ (6) Is there a formula of arithmetic that defines arithmetic truth in the standard model, N (even if it does not represent it)? ○ (7) Is the (non-recursively enumerable) set of truths in the language of first-order arithmetic categorical? If not, is it ω-categorical (i.e., categorical in models of cardinality ω)? ● Questions (1) -- (7) turn out to be linked. Their philosophical interest depends partly on the following philosophical thesis, of which we will make frequent, but inessential, use. ○ Church-Turing Thesis:A function is (intuitively) computable if/f it is recursive. ■ Church: “[T]he notion of an effectively calculable function of positive integers should be identified with that of recursive function (quoted in Epstein & Carnielli, 223).” ○ Note: Since a function is recursive if/f it is Turing computable, the Church-Turing Thesis also implies that a function is computable if/f it is Turing computable. -
Arxiv:2009.00315V2 [Math.LO] 15 Sep 2020 Tarski's Undefinability Theorem and Diagonal Lemma
Tarski’s Undefinability Theorem and Diagonal Lemma SAEED SALEHI Research Institute for Fundamental Sciences (RIFS), University of Tabriz, P.O.Box 51666–16471, Tabriz, IRAN. E-mail:[email protected] Abstract We prove the equivalence of the semantic version of Tarski’s theorem on the undefinability of truth with a semantic version of the Diagonal Lemma, and also show the equivalence of syntactic Tarski’s Undefinability Theorem with a weak syntactic diagonal lemma. We outline two seemingly diagonal-free proofs for these theorems from the literature, and show that syntactic Tarski’s theorem can deliver G¨odel-Rosser’s Incompleteness Theorem. Keywords: Diagonal Lemma, Diagonal-Free Proofs, G¨odels Incomplteness Theorem, Rossers Theorem, Self-Reference, Tarskis Undefinability Theorem. 2020 AMS MSC: 03F40, 03A05, 03F30, 03C40. 1 Introduction ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES of modern logic (and theory of incompleteness after G¨odel) is the Diagonal Lemma (aka Self-Reference, or Fixed-Point Lemma) due to G¨odel and Carnap (see [10] and the references therein). The lemma states that (when α 7→ pαq is a suitable G¨odel coding which assigns the closed term pαq to a syntactic expression or object α) for a given formula Ψ(x) with the only free variable x, there exists some sentence θ such that the equivalence Ψ(pθq) ↔ θ holds; “holding” could mean either being true in the standard model of natural numbers N or being provable in a suitable theory T (which is usually taken to be a consistent extension of Robinson’s arithmetic). When the equivalence Ψ(pθq) ↔ θ holds in N we call it the Semantic Diagonal Lemma (studied in Section 2); when T proves the equivalence, we call it the Syntactic Diagonal Lemma. -
Modal Realism and Metaphysical Nihilism Gonzalo Rodriguez-Pereyra
Mind, 2004, 113 (452), pp. 683-704. Modal Realism and Metaphysical Nihilism Gonzalo Rodriguez-Pereyra 1. Modal Realism is an ontological doctrine whose most characteristic thesis is that there exist non-actual possible individuals which are of a kind with actual individuals. That is, there are non-actual chairs, tables, donkeys, people and stars. As developed by David Lewis, Modal Realism is accompanied by a cluster of theses, for instance that all possible worlds (i.e. actual and non-actual possible worlds) exist, that all possible worlds are of a kind, that possible worlds are maximal sums of spatiotemporally related objects, and that a sentence like ‘it is possible that p’ is true just in case there is a possible world where p. Modal Realism has, among its theoretical benefits, a reductive account, within limits, of modality. Among its costs, it counts clashing with several intuitive views. One of these is the view that it is possible that nothing exists, that is, that there could have been nothing. Lewis saw that his Modal Realism is incompatible with this view (Lewis 1986, p. 73 and Lewis 1991, p. 13, footnote 6). Another closely related intuitive view with which Lewis’s Modal Realism is incompatible is what has recently been called Metaphysical Nihilism, namely that it is possible that nothing concrete exists, that is, that there could have been nothing concrete. Metaphysical Nihilism is not only intuitive, there are persuasive arguments in its favour. So, other things being equal, to be compatible with Metaphysical Nihilism is a theoretical virtue. In this paper I shall argue that Modal Realism can be modified so as to be compatible with Metaphysical Nihilism. -
Diagonalizing by Fixed-Points
Ahmad Karimi Tel: +98 (0)919 510 2790 Department of Mathematics Fax: +98 (0)21 8288 3493 Tarbiat Modares University E-mail:[email protected] P.O.Box 14115{134 Behbahan KA Univ. of Tech. Tehran, IRAN 61635{151 Behbahan, IRAN Saeed Salehi Tel: +98 (0)411 339 2905 Department of Mathematics Fax: +98 (0)411 334 2102 University of Tabriz E-mail:/[email protected]/ Σα∂ ir Σα`}{ P.O.Box 51666{17766 /[email protected]/ u Tabriz, IRAN Web: http://SaeedSalehi.ir/ Diagonalizing by Fixed{Points Abstract A universal schema for diagonalization was popularized by N. S. Yanofsky (2003) in which the existence of a (diagonolized-out and contradictory) object implies the existence of a fixed-point for a certain function. It was shown that many self-referential paradoxes and diagonally proved theorems can fit in that schema. Here, we fit more theorems in the universal schema of diagonalization, such as Euclid's theorem on the infinitude of the primes and new proofs of G. Boolos (1997) for Cantor's theorem on the non-equinumerosity of a set with its powerset. Then, in Linear Temporal Logic, we show the non-existence of a fixed-point in this logic whose proof resembles the argument of Yablo's paradox. Thus, Yablo's paradox turns for the first time into a genuine mathematico-logical theorem in the framework of Linear Temporal Logic. Again the diagonal schema of the paper is used in this proof; and also it is shown that G. Priest's inclosure schema (1997) can fit in our universal diagonal/fixed-point schema. -
Sometime a Paradox, Now Proof: Non-First-Order-Izability of Yablo's
Sometime a Paradox, Now Proof: Non-First-Order-izability of Yablo’s Paradox Saeed Salehi, Research Institute for Fundamental Sciences (RIFS), University of Tabriz, P.O.Box 51666-16471, Tabriz, Iran. School of Mathematics, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, P.O.Box 19395–5746, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Paradoxes are interesting puzzles in philosophy and mathematics, and they could be even more fascinating when turned into proofs and theorems. For example, Liar’s paradox can be translated into a propositional tautology, and Barber’s paradox turns into a first-order tautology. Russell’s paradox, which collapsed Frege’s foundational framework, is now a classical theorem in set theory, implying that no set of all sets can exist. Paradoxes can be used in proofs of some other theorems; Liar’s paradox has been used in the classical proof of Tarski’s theorem on the undefinability of truth in sufficiently rich languages. This paradox (and also Richard’s paradox) appears implicitly in G¨odel’s proof of his celebrated first incompleteness theorem. In this paper, we study Yablo’s paradox from the viewpoint of first and second order logics. We prove that a formalization of Yablo’s paradox (which is second-order in nature) is non-first-order-izable in the sense of George Boolos (1984). 2010 AMS Subject Classification: 03B05 · 03B10 · 03C07. Keywords: Yablo’s Paradox · Non-first-orderizability. This was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. — William Shakespeare (Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1). 1 Introduction If mathematicians and philosophers have come to the conclusion that some (if not almost all) of the paradoxes cannot be (re)solved, or as Priest [10, p. -
A Logical Framework†
Revista del Instituto de Filosofía, Universidad de Valparaíso, Año 1, N° 1. Junio 2013. Pags. 35 – 40 A logical framework† Göran Sundholm Resumen El artículo presenta un marco de distinciones para la filosofía de la lógica en la que las interrelaciones entre algunas nociones lógicas centrales, como la de declaración, juicio (el acto), juicio, (el resultado de juzgar), proposición (contenido), consecuencia e inferencia, se detallan. PALABRAS CLAVE: Declaración, juicio, proposición, consecuencia, inferencia. Abstract The paper presents a framework of distinctions for the philosophy of logic in which the interrelations between some central logical notions, such as statement, judgement (-act), judgement (made), proposition (al content), consequence, and inference are spelled out. KEY WORDS: Statement, judgement, proposition, consequence, inference. 1. Hilary Putnam, and, following him, George Boolos, have, on different occasions, taken exception to Quine's dictum that "Logic is an old subject, and since 1879 it has been a great one", with which he opened the first editions of his Methods of Logic.1 In their opinion, Quine's implicit preference for Frege's Begriffsschrift does an injustice to Boole (Boolos and Putnam) and the Booleans, of whom Peirce in particular (Putnam). Ten years ago, in an inaugural lecture at Leyden, also I argued that Quine presented too narrow a view of logic, and, that as far as the nineteenth century was concerned, the crucial date in the development of logical doctrine is not 1879 (nor 1847, I would add today, disagreeing -
SPREAD WORLDS, PLENITUDE and MODAL REALISM: a PROBLEM for DAVID LEWIS by Charles R
1 SPREAD WORLDS, PLENITUDE AND MODAL REALISM: A PROBLEM FOR DAVID LEWIS By Charles R. Pigden and Rebecca E. B. Entwisle 1. Introduction: Modal Realism and Meta-Philosophy David Lewis was famous (among other things) for the meta-philosophical claim that knock-down refutations are rare to non-existent in philosophy. You can argue that the costs of a theory exceed the intellectual benefits but it is difficult, if not impossible, to prove that it is false. When it comes to choosing between philosophical theories, it is generally a matter of ‘the price is right’, and when it comes to refuting a theory the best you can generally do is to drive up the costs whilst diminishing the benefits. There may come a time when the costs are so high and the benefits are so low that the theory can’t attract any takers, but this is usually due to a cumulative process of philosophical debate not to a sudden drop in net value brought about by a single decisive counterargument. When philosophers win, it’s nearly always a victory on points and almost never a knock-out. At the same time, Lewis subscribed to a philosophical thesis so outrageous as to cry out for knock-down refutation, namely that in order to make sense of modal truths, we must postulate an infinity of possible universes, all just as real as the one that we inhabit, but cut off from us in space and time. (This has the corollary that in order to make sense of causality we must postulate an infinity of items that have no causal connection to anything that happens in this universe.) Thus the temptation is to go for the double-whammy, the knock-down refutation of modal realism which is also a counterexample to the meta- philosophical claim. -
The Logic of Frege's Theorem
The Logic of Frege’s Theorem Richard G Heck Jr Department of Philosophy, Brown University 1 Opening As is now well-known, axioms for arithmetic can be interpreted in second-order logic plus ‘Hume’s Princi- ple’, or HP: Nx : F x = Nx : Gx iff ∃R[∀x∀y∀z∀w(Rxy ∧ Rzw → x = z ≡ y = w)∧ ∀x(F x → ∃y(Rxy ∧ Gy))∧ ∀y(Gy → ∃x(Rxy ∧ F x))] This result is Frege’s Theorem. Its philosophical interest has been a matter of some controversy, most of which has concerned the status of HP itself. To use Frege’s Theorem to re-instate logicism, for example, one would have to claim that HP was a logical truth. So far as I know, no-one has really been tempted by that claim. But Crispin Wright claimed, in his book Frege’s Conception of Numbers as Objects (1983), that, even though HP is not a logical truth, it nonetheless has the epistemological virtues that were really central to Frege’s logicism. Not everyone has agreed.1 But even if Wright’s view were accepted, there would be another question to be asked, namely, whether the sorts of inferences employed in the derivation of axioms for arithmetic from HP preserve whatever interesting epistemological property HP is supposed to have. Only then would the axioms of arithmetic then have been shown to have such interesting properties. The problem is clearest for a logicist. If the axioms of arithmetic are to be shown to be logical truths, not only must HP be a logical truth, the modes of inference used in deriving axioms of arithmetic from it must preserve logical truth.