February 22, 2013, 3:10 pm to 4:00 pm

"Why Axioms?" by Michael D. Westmoreland, Denison University (Physics Colloquium Series)

Abstract: John A. Wheeler once said, "I thought that axiomatization was the stage just before rigor mortis." We also know that no system of axioms for a system that is at least as interesting as fourth-grade arithmetic can prove its own consistency. This fact follows from Godel's Incompleteness Theorem. Yet the core of most courses in pure mathematics is a set of axioms. So, are mathematicians blithely ignoring the harsh truth about axiom systems, thereby inflicting unnecessary pain and suffering on the rest of humanity? This talk will attempt to answer this and many other questions regarding the value and importance as well as the limitations of axiom systems.

Reception to follow.

Location: Franklin Miller Jr. Lecture Hall (Hayes 109)

Sponsor: Department of Physics

Contact: Connie M. Miller

Email: millercm@kenyon.edu

Phone: (740) 427-5069

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