> Wiles's proof of Fermat's Last Theorem is not an idea but it finished product I don't think that distinction is the relevant one. The point is that it extend

> Wiles's proof of Fermat's Last Theorem is not an idea but it finished product I don't think that distinction is the relevant one. The point is that it extended existing thought, rather than overturning it. > If he told someone about the idea behind the proof in the initial phase without anything concrete and was not able to finish the proof, do you think the idea would be perceived? I'm not sure what you're asking here. There's a reason mathematics journals are only interested in finished theorems rather than idle speculation, but I don't see how that's relevant.