Single Idea 18110

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 5. The Infinite / k. Infinitesimals]

Full Idea

Non-standard natural numbers will yield non-standard rational and real numbers. These will include reciprocals which will be closer to 0 than any standard real number. These are like 'infinitesimals', so that notion is not actually a contradiction.

Gist of Idea

Infinitesimals are not actually contradictory, because they can be non-standard real numbers

Source

David Bostock (Philosophy of Mathematics [2009], 5.5)

Book Reference

Bostock,David: 'Philosophy of Mathematics: An Introduction' [Wiley-Blackwell 2009], p.155