FOM: postmodernism and Goedel's theorems

[Michael Detlefsen]

Though I am far from being a fan of postmodernist thought, I do believe
that there are some serious attempts to find application of Goedel's
theorems to postmodernist themes. Indeed, I read some of these when
preparing to write my article on Goedel's theorems for the recently
published Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. I would mention two, in
particular.

(1) 'Reflections on the legacy of Kurt Goedel: Mathematics, Skepticism,
Postmodernism', John Kadvany, THE PHILOSOPHICAL FORUM, 1989, 20: 161-181.
(2) 'Goedel's Theorem and Postmodern Theory', D. Thomas, PUBLICATIONS OF
THE MODERN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION, 1995, 110: 248-61.

I regard the first of these as a fairly searching piece. The second is less
good but still, I believe, deserving of consideration (at least in some
modified form).

Regards,

Mic Detlefsen



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Michael Detlefsen
Department of Philosophy
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana  46556
U.S.A.
e-mail:  Detlefsen.1 at nd.edu
FAX:  219-631-8609
Office phones: 219-631-7534
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Home phone: 219-273-2744
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