Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-2024
DOI
10.15845/nwr.v13.3691
Publication Title
Nordic Wittgenstein Review
Volume
13
Pages
1-16
Abstract
We analyze two problems in mathematics – the first (stated in our title) is extracted from Wittgenstein’s “Philosophy for Mathematicians”; the second (“What set of numbers is non-denumerable?”) is taken from Cantor. We then consider, by way of comparison, a problem in musical aesthetics concerning a Brahms variation on a theme by Haydn. Our aim is twofold: first, to bring out and elucidate the essentially riddle-like character of these problems; second, to show that the comparison with riddles does not reduce their solution to an exercise in bare subjectivity
Rights
Open Access Publication: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2024 The Authors
Article is a prepublication under review until 05-12-2024.
Original Publication Citation
Wheeler, S., & Brenner, W. (2024). “What line can’t be measured with a ruler?”: Riddles and concept-formation in mathematics and aesthetics: Nordic Wittgenstein Review. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.15845/nwr.v13.3691
Repository Citation
Brenner, William H. and Wheeler, Samuel J., "“What Line Can’t Be Measured With a Ruler?” Riddles and Concept-Formation in Mathematics and Aesthetics" (2024). Philosophy Faculty Publications. 102.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/philosophy_fac_pubs/102