Abstract

Ever since the first edition appeared in 1952, Wilder's book has been a mainstay of courses in the philosophy and foundations of mathematics, and deservedly so, for it covers most of the topics which provide an insight into the nature of this formal science. There are two parts: the first is a rapid but thorough survey of the axiomatic method, set theory, especially infinite sets, cardinal and ordinal numbers, the linear continuum, and the theory of groups with reference to foundational problems. The second part develops various views on the nature of the foundations of mathematics: it begins with a look at the naïve 19th-century approach and its transformation into Zermelo's axiomatic set theory; the Logicistic thesis is covered in great detail; intuitionism and Hilbert's formalistic view come next; the last chapter discusses the cultural setting of mathematics. The changes since the first edition have been in the way of making certain presentations more relevant to current problems. There is an excellent bibliography. This book could be used in a one semester course on philosophy or on foundations of mathematics, or in a longer course in which symbolic logic was developed extensively.—P. J. M.