Anyone who has at least a passing interest in the philosophy of mathematics, the relatively recent history of mathematics, mathematical logic (especially proof theory), the growth of ideas in mathematics, or the foundations of mathematics, will find this essential reading. Sieg is a major scholar in all of these areas, and he has shown, throughout his career, how work in any of these areas illuminates all of them.

"Anyone who has at least a passing interest in the philosophy of mathematics, the relatively recent history of mathematics, mathematical logic (especially proof theory), the growth of ideas in mathematics, or the foundations of mathematics, will find this essential reading. Sieg is a major scholar in all of these areas, and he has shown, throughout his career, how work in any of these areas illuminates all of them."--Stewart Shapiro, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews "Certainly mathematical logicians with a historical bent will eat [Hilbert's Programs and Beyond] all up like candy. But others will, too. It is, or at least should be, the case that all of us have some awareness of the controversies of the early 20th century and the role they played in bringing about the shape of contemporary mathematics. ... To revisit these themes and explore certain of their facets in great detail is a beneficial and pleasant experience." --MAA Reviews

Selling point: Hilbert's foundational work is seen as deeply rooted in the radical transformation of mathematics during the 19th century; his methodological attitude can be refined and extended to bridge the chasm between a Platonist and Constructivist philosophy of mathematics. Selling point: This novel perspective on Hilbert's foundational work is informed by detailed examination of archival sources, original mathematical contributions, and broad philosophical reflection.

Wilfried Sieg is the Patrick Suppes Professor of Philosophy at Carnegie Mellon University. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1977. From 1977 to 1985, he was Assistant and Associate Professor at Columbia University. In 1985, he joined the Carnegie Mellon faculty as a founding member of the University's Philosophy Department and served as its Head from 1994 to 2005. He is internationally known for mathematical work in proof theory, historical work on modern logic and mathematics, and philosophical essays on the nature of mathematics. Sieg is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Selling point: Hilbert's foundational work is seen as deeply rooted in the radical transformation of mathematics during the 19th century; his methodological attitude can be refined and extended to bridge the chasm between a Platonist and Constructivist philosophy of mathematics. Selling point: This novel perspective on Hilbert's foundational work is informed by detailed examination of archival sources, original mathematical contributions, and broad philosophical reflection.