Towards a new philosophical perspective on Hermann Weyl's turn to intuitionism. Issue 1 (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kish Bar-On, Kati
• Is Part Of: Science in context. Volume 34:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Intuitionism -- Hermann Weyl -- Foundations of Mathematics -- Framework Transitions -- L. E. J. Brouwer; Science -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 306.4505
• DOI: 10.1017/S0269889722000047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-8897

Abstract

Argument: The paper explores Hermann Weyl's turn to intuitionism through a philosophical prism of normative framework transitions. It focuses on three central themes that occupied Weyl's thought: the notion of the continuum, logical existence, and the necessity of intuitionism, constructivism, and formalism to adequately address the foundational crisis of mathematics. The analysis of these themes reveals Weyl's continuous endeavor to deal with such fundamental problems and suggests a view that provides a different perspective concerning Weyl's wavering foundational positions. Building on a philosophical model of scientific framework transitions and the special role that normative indecision or ambivalence plays in the process, the paper examines Weyl's motives for considering such a radical shift in the first place. It concludes by showing that Weyl's shifting stances should be regarded as symptoms of a deep, convoluted intrapersonal process of self-deliberation induced by exposure to external criticism.