What is a proof?

Reinhard Kahle

pp. 79-91

in: Olga Pombo (ed), Metaphysical and Epistemological Challenges, Axiomathes 25 (1), 2015.

Abstract

In this programmatic paper we renew the well-known question "What is a proof?". Starting from the challenge of the mathematical community by computer assisted theorem provers we discuss in the first part how the experiences from examinations of proofs can help to sharpen the question. In the second part we have a look to the new challenge given by "big proofs".