Prove the Validity of Euclid's Elements

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the validity of Euclid's Elements, focusing on a formal proof structure involving various operation and predicate symbols. Participants explore the implications of the premises provided and engage in metamathematical reflections on the nature of proofs and their historical context.

Discussion Character

  • Meta-discussion
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a formal structure with assumptions involving constants and operations, seeking to prove a specific logical statement.
  • Another participant questions the interpretation of a premise, asking for clarification on the logical structure and expressing skepticism about the significance of the problem without understanding the semantics of the symbols involved.
  • There is a discussion on the nature of mathematical proofs, with one participant asserting that proofs are arguments that convince mathematicians, while another challenges the idea that all mathematical proofs are merely manipulations of symbols.
  • Historical references are made to Euclid's work, with a participant noting that Euclid's proofs were considered convincing for centuries, and mentioning a lost work titled "Pseudaria" that served as an early proof checker.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of proofs and their significance. There is no consensus on the interpretation of the premises or the overall importance of the formal proof presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the dependence on the semantics of the symbols used in the formal proof, indicating that the discussion is limited by the lack of clarity on these definitions.

solakis1
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Let:

1) m be a constant

2) P ,K be one place operation symbols

3) F be two places operation symbol4) H,G be two places predicate symbols
Let, the following assumptions:1) $\forall A\forall B [ H(A,m)\Longrightarrow G[P(A),B]\Longleftrightarrow G[K(B),A]\wedge H(B,m)]$2) $\forall A\forall B[ H(A,m)\wedge H(B,m)\Longrightarrow H(F(A,B),m)]$

3)$\forall A\forall B\forall C\forall D[ G[A,B]\wedge G[C,D]\Longrightarrow G[F(A,C),F(B,D)]]$

4)$\forall A\forall B [ G[F(K(P(A)),K(P(B))),K(F(P(A),P(B)))]]$

5)$\forall A\forall B\forall C [ G[A,B]\wedge G[A,C]\Longrightarrow G[B,C]]$

6) $\forall A [ G(A,A) ]$

Then prove :

$\forall A\forall B [ H(A,m)\wedge H(B,m)\Longrightarrow G[ P(F(A,B)),F(P(A),P(B))]]$
 
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In premise (1), is it

H(A,m) => (G[P(A),B] <=> G[K(B),A] /\ H(B,m))

or

(H(A,m) => G[P(A),B]) <=> G[K(B),A] /\ H(B,m)?

Also, this is a metamathematical question, but why is this problem interesting? Without knowing the semantics of P, K, F, H and G, it's just some manipulation of symbols. I am not sure how it gives any additional insight into logic.
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
In premise (1), is it

H(A,m) => (G[P(A),B] <=> G[K(B),A] /\ H(B,m))

or

(H(A,m) => G[P(A),B]) <=> G[K(B),A] /\ H(B,m)?

Also, this is a metamathematical question, but why is this problem interesting? Without knowing the semantics of P, K, F, H and G, it's just some manipulation of symbols. I am not sure how it gives any additional insight into logic.
It is : H(A,m) => (G[P(A),B] <=> G[K(B),A] /\ H(B,m))

Well is it not every mathematical proof a manipulation of symbols??
 
solakis said:
It is : H(A,m) => (G[P(A),B] <=> G[K(B),A] /\ H(B,m))

Well is it not every mathematical proof a manipulation of symbols??

Actually no, this is a fiction foisted on us by certain philosophies of mathematics.

A proof is an argument that convinces mathematicians. What counts as proof changes with time and context.

CB
 
CaptainBlack said:
.

A proof is an argument that convinces mathematicians.

CB
How ??
 
solakis said:
How ??

How is anyone convinced of anything. Look at Euclid, it is full of "proofs" that were considered convincing for over 2000 years.

CB
 
CaptainBlack said:
How is anyone convinced of anything.

Not of anything ,but of a mathematical argument.

Anyway that is what i asked you
CaptainBlack said:
Look at Euclid, it is full of "proofs" that were considered convincing for over 2000 years.

CB

Euclid along with his "elements " wrote a book called "Pseudaria".

The contents and the magnitude of its validity can be found in Proclus,p.70,1- 18

The book is considered to be the 1st proof checker in human history (at least for the Geometrical theorems,that is).

Unfortunately the book was irreparably lost.
 

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