Abstract

This paper revisits Wittgenstein’s heavily criticized claims about the admissibility of inconsistencies in mathematics. It argues from the perspective of mathematics as a tool and combines material from the history and practice of engineering that makes Wittgenstein’s claims about contradiction and inconsistency look much more plausible. Against this background, the paper interprets passages from Wittgenstein, including his exchange with Alan Turing where he highlights that basic laws of thought are at issue and that reflecting on them would be “the most important thing” he has talked about.