A Profile of Mathematical Logic

by Howard DeLong

Overview

Anyone seeking a readable and relatively brief guide to logic can do no better than this classic introduction. A treat for both the intellect and the imagination, it profiles the development of logic from ancient to modern times and compellingly examines the nature of logic and its philosophical implications. No prior knowledge of logic is necessary; readers need only an acquaintance with high school mathematics. The author emphasizes understanding, rather than technique, and focuses on such topics as the historical reasons for the formation of Aristotelian logic, the rise of mathematical logic after more than 2,000 years of traditional logic, the nature of the formal axiomatic method and the reasons for its use, and the main results of metatheory and their philosophic import. The treatment of the Gödel metatheorems is especially detailed and clear, and answers to the problems appear at the end.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780486434759
Publisher:	Dover Publications
Publication date:	06/17/2004
Series:	Dover Books on Mathematics
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

1. Historical background of mathematical logic.
2. Period of transition.
3. Mathematical logic.
4. The metatheory of mathematical logic.
5. Philosophical implications of mathematical logic.
Epilog.
Appendixes.
Answers to Problems.
Bibliography.
Indexes.