Edward Nelson

For other people named Edward Nelson, see Edward Nelson (disambiguation).

Edward Nelson
Edward Nelson
Born(1932-05-04)May 4, 1932
Decatur, Georgia
DiedSeptember 10, 2014(2014-09-10) (aged 82)
Princeton, New Jersey
CitizenshipAmerican
Alma mater
Known for
Spouses
  • Nancy Wong Nelson
  • Sarah Jones Nelson
Children2
Awards
Scientific career
Fields
Institutions
Thesis On the Operator Theory of Markoff Processes
Doctoral advisorIrving Segal
Notable students

Edward Nelson (May 4, 1932 – September 10, 2014) was an American mathematician. He was professor in the Mathematics Department at Princeton University. He was known for his work on mathematical physics and mathematical logic. In mathematical logic, he was noted especially for his internal set theory, and views on ultrafinitism and the consistency of arithmetic. In philosophy of mathematics he advocated the view of formalism rather than platonism or intuitionism. He also wrote on the relationship between religion and mathematics.[1][2][3]

  1. ^ Edward Nelson (2000). "Mathematics and Faith" (PDF). Presented at the Jubilee for Men and Women from the World of Learning, held at the Vatican, 23–24 May 2000. Retrieved March 5, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  2. ^ Edward Nelson (2009). "Completed Infinity and Religion". Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  3. ^ Nelson, Edward (October 17, 2009). Mathematics and Religion (Speech). The Philoctetes Center for the Multidisciplinary Study of the Imagination. 31 minutes in. In terms of religion, I'm a Christian. Worship and prayer are very important to me.