Definition:Intuitionism

Definition

Intuitionism is the philosophical position that mathematical objects are mental entities that cannot exist independently of our ability to prove their existence using a finite number of steps.

Hence a mathematical statement is true only if it can be proved to be so using a finite process.

Intuitionism also rejects the concept of impredicative definitions.

Also see

• Results about intuitionism can be found here.

Historical Note

Intuitionism was originated by Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): intuitionism
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): constructive
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): intuitionism