Mathematics The Loss of Certainty

make in his understanding of the nature and role of mathematics. We

know today that mathematics does not possess the qualities that in the

past earned for it universal respect and admiration. Mathematics was

regarded as the acme of exact reasoning, a body of truths in itself, and

the truth about the design of nature. How man came to the realization

that these values are false and just what our present understanding is

constitute the major themes. A brief statement of these themes is

presented in the Introduction. Some of the material could be gleaned

from a detailed technical history of mathematics. But those people who

are interested primarily in the dramatic changes that have taken place

will find that a direct, non-technical approach makes them more readily

accessible £nd more intelligible.