
G
¨
odel Upsets the Applecart
Basic Theorems on the Foundations of Mathematics and Their Implica-
tions,G¨odel, in effect, placed Hilbert’s dictum regarding the solvability of
every mathematical question in the context of the nature of the human
mind. G¨odel raised the question of whether the human mind was in all es-
sentials equivalent to a computer, a question still being vigorously debated
in the context of prospects for artificial intelligence. Without proposing to
answer the question (although it ultimately became clear that he believed
the correct answer is negative), G¨odel maintained that either answer is
“decidedly opposed to materialistic philosophy ...