What role do definitions play in axiomatics?

Paola Cantù | Université Aix-Marseille 

Zusammen mit Vienna Circle Society/Together with Vienna Circle Society
Date: December 07, 2023
Time: 16:00-18:00
Venue: Alte Kapelle am Campus, Yard 2, Entrance 2.8

Abstract

Right from its name, axiomatics focuses on the role of axioms as starting points for deriving theorems. Definitions are introduced as useful conventions, but not strictly necessary for a rigorous presentation of theories. And yet the preeminent interest in definitions in authors such as Peano and Pap suggests that the issue of definitions cannot be eliminated as soon as one reflects on the epistemological role of axiomatics. What role can axiomatics still play today and, within it, what place should be reserved for definitions?