Abstract
Wittgenstein’s remarks on the first incompleteness theorem1 have often been denounced, and mostly dismissed. Despite indirect historical evidence to the contrary,2 it is a commonplace that Wittgenstein rejected Gödel’s proof because he did not, or even could not, understand it.3 Kreisel twice used the word “wild” when he reviewed Wittgenstein on Göde1.4 Dummett, in many respects an admirer of Wittgenstein’s philosophy, wrote that the remarks on Gödel and on the notion of consistency are “of poor quality or contain definite errors”.5 Gödel’s own comments were damning (see Section III below).
For an answer which cannot be expressed the question too cannot be expressed.
The riddle does not exist.
If a question may be put at all, then it can also be answered.
Scepticism is not irrefutable, but palpably nonsense, if it would doubt where a question cannot be asked.
For a doubt can only exist where there is a question; a question only where there is an answer, and this only where something can be said.
Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus 6.5-6.5.1
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Floyd, J. (1995). On Saying What You Really Want to Say: Wittgenstein, Gödel, and the Trisection of the Angle. In: Hintikka, J. (eds) From Dedekind to Gödel. Synthese Library, vol 251. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8478-4_15
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