Abstract
The development of computer science and cognitive science has evoked an interest in Gödel's proof of the Incompleteness Theorem, since his proof has essential connections both with the creation of the computer and with its limitations. On the other hand a similar interest seems to be spreading gradually into the humanities and social sciences.
I think it was the literary critic Karatani's essay on Gödel's proof in 1983 that first evoked interest in it among intellectuals in Japan. In the essay he referred to the formalism that has appeared in many arts and sciences in modern times, and criticized it by means of Gödel's proof.
In this paper I examine his argument on Gödel's proof and indicate what perspective Gödel's proof can give to sociologists studying formalizations in social phenomenon.
