History & Society

intuitionism

philosophy of mathematics
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Key People:
Saul Kripke
Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer
Related Topics:
mathematics
constructivism

intuitionism, school of mathematical thought introduced by the 20th-century Dutch mathematician L.E.J. Brouwer that contends the primary objects of mathematical discourse are mental constructions governed by self-evident laws. Intuitionists have challenged many of the oldest principles of mathematics as being nonconstructive and hence mathematically meaningless. Compare formalism; logicism.