Single Idea 18164

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 5. Definitions of Number / e. Caesar problem]

Full Idea

To solve the Julius Caesar problem, Frege requires explicit definitions of the numbers, and he proposes his well-known solution: the number of Fs = the extension of the concept 'equinumerous with F' (based on one-one correspondence).

Gist of Idea

Frege solves the Caesar problem by explicitly defining each number

Source

Penelope Maddy (Naturalism in Mathematics [1997], I.1)

Book Reference

Maddy,Penelope: 'Naturalism in Mathematics' [OUP 2000], p.5


A Reaction

Why do there have to be Fs before there can be the corresponding number? If there were no F for 523, would that mean that '523' didn't exist (even if 522 and 524 did exist)?