Wittgenstein’s Constructivization of Euler’s Proof of the Infinity of Primes

Vienna Circle Institute Yearbook 10:171-188 (2003)
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Abstract

We will discuss a mathematical proof found in Wittgenstein’s Nachlass, a constructive version of Euler’s proof of the infinity of prime numbers. Although it does not amount to much, this proof allows us to see that Wittgenstein had at least some mathematical skills. At the very last, the proof shows that Wittgenstein was concerned with mathematical practice and it also gives further evidence in support of the claim that, after all, he held a constructivist stance, at least during the transitional period of his thought (1929-33).

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Author Profiles

Paolo Mancosu
University of California, Berkeley
Mathieu Marion
Université du Québec à Montréal

Citations of this work

Wittgenstein on the Infinity of Primes.Timm Lampert∗ - 2008 - History and Philosophy of Logic 29 (1):63-81.
Wittgenstein on Proof and Concept-Formation.Sorin Bangu - forthcoming - Philosophical Quarterly.
Wittgenstein and the Real Numbers.Daesuk Han - 2010 - History and Philosophy of Logic 31 (3):219-245.

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