In summary, mathematical truth and proof rest on deduction and logic. But logic irself lacks certain foundations. It too rests on irreducible assumptions. Thus the dependence on logical deduction increases the set of assumptions on which mathematical truth rests, and these cannot be neutralized by the ‘if-thenist’ strategy.
A further presumption of the absolutist view is that mathematics is fundamentally free from error. For inconsistency and absolutism are clearly incompatible. But this cannot be demonstrated. Mathematics consists of theories (e.g., group theory, categoly theory) which are studied within mathematical systems, based on sets of assumptions (axioms). To establish that mathematical systems are safe (i.e., consistent), for any but the simplest systems we are forced to expand the set of assumption of the system (Godel’s Second Incompleteness Theorem, 1931 ). We have therefore to assume the consistency of a stronger system to demonstrate that of a weaker. We cannot therefore know that any but the most trivial mathematical systems are secure, and the possibility of error and inconsistency must always remain. Belief in the safety of mathematics must be based either on empirical grounds (no contradictions have yes been found in our current mathematical systems) or on faith, neither providing the certain that absolutism requires.