Gödel's incompleteness theorems

The work

AuthorsPanu Raatikainen
Editors
Typeincollection
Year2020
Citekeyraatikainen2020godel

Where it appeared

Published inThe Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
PublisherMetaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University

Abstract

Gödel’s two incompleteness theorems are among the most important results in modern logic, and have deep implications for various issues. They concern the limits of provability in formal axiomatic theories. The first incompleteness theorem states that in any consistent formal system F within which a certain amount of arithmetic can be carried out, there are statements of the language of F which can neither be proved nor disproved in F . According to the second incompleteness theorem, such a formal system cannot prove that the system itself is consistent (assuming it is indeed consistent). These results have had a great impact on the philosophy of mathematics and logic. There have been attempts to apply the results also in other areas.

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Added2026-08-05 00:00 UTC
Approved bya person 2026-08-18 09:49 UTC

Cite it as

@incollection{raatikainen2020godel,
  title        = {Gödel's incompleteness theorems},
  author       = {Panu Raatikainen},
  year         = {2020},
  booktitle    = {The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy},
  publisher    = {Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University},
}

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