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(2006) Synthese 153 (1).
On a traditional view, the primary role of a mathematical proof is to warrant the truth of the resulting theorem. This view fails to explain why it is very often the case that a new proof of a theorem is deemed important. Three case studies from elementary arithmetic show, informally, that there are many criteria by which ordinary proofs are valued. I argue that at least some of these criteria depend on the methods of inference the proofs employ, and that standard models of formal deduction are not well-equipped to support such evaluations. I discuss a model of proof that is used in the automated deduction community, and show that this model does better in that respect.
Publication details
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-005-4064-5
Full citation:
Avigad, J. (2006). Mathematical method and proof. Synthese 153 (1), pp. 105-159.
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