Introduction
pp. 1-9
in: , David Hilbert and the axiomatization of physics (1898–1918), Berlin, Springer, 2004Abstract
In 1900, at a time when his international prominence as a leading mathematician was just becoming firmly established, David Hilbert (1862–1943) delivered one of the central invited lectures at the Second International Congress of Mathematicians, held in Paris. The lecture bore the title "Mathematical Problems". At this very significant opportunity, Hilbert attempted to "lift the veil" and peer into the development of mathematics in the century that was about to begin. He chose to present a list of twenty-three problems that in his opinion would and should occupy the efforts of mathematicians in the years to come. This famous list has been an object of mathematical and historical interest ever since. Mathematicians of all specialties and in all countries have taken up its challenges. Solving an item from the list came to be considered a significant achievement that could determine the fate of the academic career of any aspiring mathematician.