Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem And God
04 Aug '13 03:25Originally posted by RJHindsGodel's theorem applies to axiomatic systems in mathematics and logic. It is almost irrelevant in physics, chemistry, biology, and any other -ology you care to mention. The questions asked in those fields do not strain the stuff Godel worried about. His theorem states that a given set of axioms will either be unable to prove the veracity of some statements that can be made in the language of the theory or, if one tries to fix that by adding an axiom then it will be inconsistent - too many axioms spoil the broth. So if you add God to an axiomatic theory then >at best< you will break the theory. Mathematical systems are not scientific - there is no requirement for a mathematical system to be realized in the real world - when they relate to science it's a real help, but mathematics is about logical deduction within axiomatic systems. It is virtually useless on questions of spirituality. I do not think you can use Godel's theorem as proof that God exists. That question is outside the realms of the theorem's applicability.
Godel's Incompleteness Theorem says there is always something outside the circle of enclosure that has to be assumed. I think you missed that part somehow. Of course, ultimately that something outside turns out to be GOD, because GOD alone fits the requirements. But we still have not proved the existence of GOD, we are assuming it must be GOD because of our current knowledge.
The Instructor
Also this doesn't help you with your argument against science, mathematics is logic with quantities and that is what science uses it for, if we can't prove something we don't start praying, we do an experiment. This cuts through the problem as we stop trying to prove what we are saying in the terms of our theories and simply see what Mother Nature has to tell us.
You are making a mistake to think that a mystery religion can explain material outcomes - it's not what the religion is for.
YouTube
Back to Top