Translated by B. Meltzer with introduction by R. B. Braithwaite.
Edinburgh & London, Oliver & Boyd, 1963
The foundation of modern mathematics, logic & computer science. First English language edition of Gödel's incompleteness theorems, originally published in Monatshefte für Mathematik in 1931. An exceptional, fresh copy in the unusually bright dust jacket. From the library of the distinguished engineer and historian of science John Garrett Burke (1917-1989).
Gödel's incompleteness theorems are some of the most significant statements ever contributed to the fields of mathematics and logic, proving that even in elementary arithmetic there exist propositions that cannot be proven or disproven within the system. Gödel's work overturned a century's worth of efforts to establish an axiomatic basis for all mathematics, showing instead that the field cannot be bound within one formal system. It laid the foundations for theoretical computer science and demonstrated that computers can never be programmed to answer all mathematical questions.
The previous owner of this copy, John Garrett Burke, trained in metallurgy at MIT and then served in the US Air Force. He piloted bombing runs over Germany and spent sixteen months as a POW at Stalag Luft I after being shot down during his thirteenth mission. After the war Burke purchased part of a firm specialising in high-pressure vessels, and it was so successful that he was able to retire early and earn a PhD in the history of science and technology at Stanford. He specialised in the history of mineralogy and crystallography, with his most important work being Cosmic Debris: Meteorites in History, published in 1986 (obituary, ISIS, vol. 81, no. 3, 1990).
First English language edition, first impression; 8vo; original grey cloth, titles to spine in red; bookplate, in the dust jacket with only minor rubbed areas at the extremities and very slight fading of the spine panel, excellent condition; 72pp.
Gödel's incompleteness theorems are some of the most significant statements ever contributed to the fields of mathematics and logic, proving that even in elementary arithmetic there exist propositions that cannot be proven or disproven within the system. Gödel's work overturned a century's worth of efforts to establish an axiomatic basis for all mathematics, showing instead that the field cannot be bound within one formal system. It laid the foundations for theoretical computer science and demonstrated that computers can never be programmed to answer all mathematical questions.
The previous owner of this copy, John Garrett Burke, trained in metallurgy at MIT and then served in the US Air Force. He piloted bombing runs over Germany and spent sixteen months as a POW at Stalag Luft I after being shot down during his thirteenth mission. After the war Burke purchased part of a firm specialising in high-pressure vessels, and it was so successful that he was able to retire early and earn a PhD in the history of science and technology at Stanford. He specialised in the history of mineralogy and crystallography, with his most important work being Cosmic Debris: Meteorites in History, published in 1986 (obituary, ISIS, vol. 81, no. 3, 1990).
First English language edition, first impression; 8vo; original grey cloth, titles to spine in red; bookplate, in the dust jacket with only minor rubbed areas at the extremities and very slight fading of the spine panel, excellent condition; 72pp.
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