Definability in the Real Universe

Abstract

Logic has its origins in basic questions about the nature of the real world and how we describe it. This article seeks to bring out the physical and epistemological relevance of some of the more recent technical work in logic and computability theory. "If you are receptive and humble, mathematics will lead you by the hand. Again and again, when I have been at a loss how to proceed, I have just had to wait until I have felt the mathematics lead me by the hand. It has led me along an unexpected path, a path where new vistas open up, a path leading to new territory, where one can set up a base of operations, from which one can survey the surroundings and plan future progress." - Paul Dirac, 27 November, 1975. In Paul A. M. Dirac Papers, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida, USA, No. 2/29/17.