X-Message-Number: 10311
Subject: sigh. more constructivism.
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1998 19:02:36 -0400
From: "Perry E. Metzger" <>

> I continue interested in the relation of Goedel's Theorem to 
> constructivism. 

I'm not particularly interested.

I will note, though, that all Godel's proof says nothing about
requiring non-constructive methods in one's formal system.

Indeed, Godel should make constructivists shudder as much as anyone
else. After all, he shows you how to construct his string -- indeed,
how to construct an infinite series of Godel strings if you want
them.

BTW, I find the entire notion of trying to escape from Godel by
abandoning formal systems to be silly. Sure, that eliminates Godel --
by eliminating any sort of rigorous metamathematics at all! If you are 
happy eliminating the ability to do rigorous reasoning about
mathematics itself, by all means, continue on with "informal methods".

Perry

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