Principia Mathematica - Scope of Foundations Laid

Scope of Foundations Laid

The Principia covered only set theory, cardinal numbers, ordinal numbers, and real numbers. Deeper theorems from real analysis were not included, but by the end of the third volume it was clear to experts that a large amount of known mathematics could in principle be developed in the adopted formalism. It was also clear how lengthy such a development would be.

A fourth volume on the foundations of geometry had been planned, but the authors admitted to intellectual exhaustion upon completion of the third.

Read more about this topic:  Principia Mathematica

Famous quotes containing the words scope of, scope, foundations and/or laid:

    Happy is that mother whose ability to help her children continues on from babyhood and manhood into maturity. Blessed is the son who need not leave his mother at the threshold of the world’s activities, but may always and everywhere have her blessing and her help. Thrice blessed are the son and the mother between whom there exists an association not only physical and affectional, but spiritual and intellectual, and broad and wise as is the scope of each being.
    Lydia Hoyt Farmer (1842–1903)

    In the works of man, everything is as poor as its author; vision is confined, means are limited, scope is restricted, movements are labored, and results are humdrum.
    Joseph De Maistre (1753–1821)

    The objects of a financier are, then, to secure an ample revenue; to impose it with judgment and equality; to employ it economically; and, when necessity obliges him to make use of credit, to secure its foundations in that instance, and for ever, by the clearness and candour of his proceedings, the exactness of his calculations, and the solidity of his funds.
    Edmund Burke (1729–1797)

    I brush my hair,
    waiting in the pain machine for my bones to get hard,
    for the soft, soft bones that were laid apart
    and were screwed together. They will knit.
    And the other corpse, the fractured heart,
    I feed it piecemeal, little chalice. I’m good to it.
    Anne Sexton (1928–1974)