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As one of my favorite math professors once pointed out, a proof is merely an argument that convinces people, so whatever works works.

• eru 11y ago
  Before the advent of computers we had two notions of proof in mathematics, the French school and the Russian school. The Russian school is basically `something that convinces humans'. The French school is all about formality. Since computer became a thing, the field has blossomed. Look at zero knowledge proofs and various forms of interactive proof systems as examples.
  • Tloewald 11y ago
    But the formality is, at bottom, just a set of rules for convincing somebody.
    • eru 11y ago
      Some people would say that the formal proof stands on its own. No need for anyone to appreciate it.