Foundational problems of number theory (Q1844201)

This paper is essentially a critical discussion of some of the foundational problems of number theory. Classical results, such as the prime number theorem, Dirichlet's theorem, etc. \dots are stated in view of analysing the distinction between transcendental and constructive methods of proof. The author suggests informally a scheme -- the notion of ``effinite'' -- which is meant to replace the use of infinities in mathematics. The paper ends with a discussion of H. Putnam's modal interpretation of mathematics and G. Kreisel's criticisms. There are also historical remarks concerning the significance of H. Weyl's works on the problem of the continuum and recent work in number theory.