Overview

Kurt Gödel (1906 - 1978) was the most outstanding logician of the twentieth century, famous for his hallmark works on the completeness of logic, the incompleteness of number theory, and the consistency of the axiom of choice and the continuum hypothesis. He is also noted for his work on constructivity, the decision problem, and the foundations of computability theory, as well as for the strong individuality of his writings on the philosophy of mathematics. He is less well known for his discovery of unusual cosmological models for Einstein's equations, in theory permitting time travel into the past. The Collected Works is a landmark resource that draws together a lifetime of creative thought and accomplishment. The first two volumes were devoted to Gödel's publications in full (both in original and translation), and the third volume featured a wide selection of unpublished articles and lecture texts found in Gödel's Nachlass. These long-awaited final two volumes contain Gödel's correspondence of logical, philosophical, and scientific interest. Volume IV covers A to G, with H to Z in volume V; in addition, Volume V contains a full inventory of Gödel's Nachlass. All volumes include introductory notes that provide extensive explanatory and historical commentary on each body of work, English translations of material originally written in German (some transcribed from the Gabelsberger shorthand), and a complete bibliography of all works cited. Kurt Gödel: Collected Works is designed to be useful and accessible to as wide an audience as possible without sacrificing scientific or historical accuracy. The only comprehensive edition of Gödel's work available, it will be an essential part of the working library of professionals and students in logic, mathematics, philosophy, history of science, and computer science and all others who wish to be acquainted with one of the great minds of the twentieth century.

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9780195147216

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Reviews

... the presentation is impeccable. The introductory notes which explicate Godel's thought are notable papers in themselves ... Such is the thoroughness of the enterprise in making Godel's work accessible, this volume concludes with addenda and corrigenda to Volume I! ... Connoisseurs of mathematical logic and the history and philosophy of mathematics will cherish the opportunity afforded by this volume (and by the first volume, too) to gain insight into the mind of one of the greatest logicians of all time. The Mathematical Gazette The books are carefully and beautifully produced and offer rich material, illuminating not only the outstanding work of Godel, but also the whole mathematical logic of the twentieth century, including some philosophical and historical aspects. EMS

the presentation is impeccable. The introductory notes which explicate Godel's thought are notable papers in themselves ... Such is the thoroughness of the enterprise in making Godel's work accessible, this volume concludes with addenda and corrigenda to Volume I! ... Connoisseurs of mathematical logic and the history and philosophy of mathematics will cherish the opportunity afforded by this volume (and by the first volume, too) to gain insight into the mind of one of the greatest logicians of all time. The Mathematical Gazette The books are carefully and beautifully produced and offer rich material, illuminating not only the outstanding work of Godel, but also the whole mathematical logic of the twentieth century, including some philosophical and historical aspects. EMS

I was initially inspired for this review when I happened to pick up Volume 2 of Kurt Godel's Collected Works: anyone with a serious interest in the intellectual history of the 20th century should do the same. Godel's famous proof of the incompleteness of arithmetic is arguably the most famous theorem of our century . . . . These volumes are intended for the mainstream and they succeed admirably; Solomon Feferman and his distinguished board of editors have produced a collected works that is a model for all such endeavors. The collection is beautifully designed; I congratulate Oxford University Press on the high quality with which every detail is executed. Papers originally written in German are translated on facing pages, and it really is complete . . . . The introductory material is profuse and worth the price on its own . . . . Godel was a meticulous writer, and with some excellent editorial handling, the proof is a pleasure to read. --A.I. Expert I was initially inspired for this review when I happened to pick up Volume 2 of Kurt Godel's Collected Works: anyone with a serious interest in the intellectual history of the 20th century should do the same. Godel's famous proof of the incompleteness of arithmetic is arguably the most famous theorem of our century . . . . These volumes are intended for the mainstream and they succeed admirably; Solomon Feferman and his distinguished board of editors have produced a collected works that is a model for all such endeavors. The collection is beautifully designed; I congratulate Oxford University Press on the high quality with which every detail is executed. Papers originally written in German are translated on facing pages, and it really is complete . . . . The introductory material is profuse and worth the price on its own . . . . Godel was a meticulous writer, and with some excellent editorial handling, the proof is a pleasure to read. --A.I. Expert The volumes are meticulously edited and are a pleasure to consult. Original page numbers are clearly shown; papers written in German are printed with facing translations; there is a comprehensive bibliography ...and there are good indexes; and there are some revealing photographs. --Bulletin of the London Mathematical Society The publication of this book is a significant scientific event ....a splendid text ....excellent English translation. The introductory notes add much to the reader's understanding of the primary material, and the list of editors and contributors reads like a Who's Who of modern Logic. --Theory of Computation A comprehensive edition of the 20th-century logician's work, in facing pages of German and English. Volume two covers published writings in the period 1938-1974, including newly typeset versions of papers on his continuum hypothesis, Russell's mathematical logic, Cantor's continuum problem, the relationship between relativity and idealistic philosophy, and rotating universes in general relativity theory. Each selection or group of selections is introduced, and extensive notes and references are included. --SciTech Book News

Author Information

The Editor-in-Chief Solomon Feferman is Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy, and Chairman of the Department of Mathematics at Stanford University. He is past president of the Association of Symbolic Logic. The Editors John W. Dawson, Jr., is Professor of Mathematics at Pennsylvania State University, York. Steven C. Kleene is Emeritus Dean of Letters and Science, and Emeritus Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Gregory H. Moore is Associate Professor of Mathematics at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Robert M. Solovay is Professor of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley. The late Jean van Heijenoort was Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Brandeis University until his death in 1986.

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