Computation, Proof, Machine: Mathematics Enters a New Age

Computation is revolutionizing our world, even the inner world of the “pure” mathematician. Mathematical methods – especially the notion of proof – that have their roots in classical antiquity have seen a radical transformation since the 1970s, as successive advances have challenged the priority of reason over computation. Like many revolutions, this one comes from within. Computation, calculation, algorithms – all have played an important role in mathematical progress from the beginning – ...