Discovering Dennis Ritchie's Lost Dissertation (2020)

computerhistory.org

The author (David C. Brock) uses and defines the word "decidable". There exist, it has been proven, mathematical statements whose truth or falsity cannot be determined. That is, they are non-decidable.

What a useful notion to bear in mind, beyond the scope of mathematics! I think the next time I find myself in a dispute over a fine point of politics I shall say: "Perhaps we can agree that the matter is non-decidable".

Is it not the same thing as/very similar to falsifiability in philosophy of science?

Yes, I think it is, now that you mention it. But maybe "non-decidable" could be dropped into a casual conversation more easily?

But if I say that I think an issue is non-decidable, my interlocutor is likely to think that I simply can't make up my mind!

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