Axiomatic versus constructive procedures in mathematics (Q1061103)

This is the first publication of a text from H. Weyl's assets, being written after 1953. (The author died in 1955.) Its aim is to show that ''large parts of modern mathematical research are based on a dexterous blending of constructive and axiomatic procedures''. Before the author gives a brief account of the axiomatic and of the genetic-constructive method. He describes the role of axiomatics and generalizing in the process of mathematics: their aim is simplicity and unification. The different attitudes of F. Klein and D. Hilbert towards axiomatics are illustrated. In the final part the author gives three examples for constructive procedures in algebra: the multiples of an element of a field, leading to the concept of the characteristic; the adjunction of an indeterminate; and the construction of the ring of residue classes modulo an ideal. - The article is introduced by a commentary of the editor.