Single Idea 18172

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 5. The Infinite / i. Cardinal infinity]

Full Idea

The stunning discovery that infinity comes in different degrees led to the theory of infinite cardinal numbers, the heart of contemporary set theory.

Gist of Idea

Infinity has degrees, and large cardinals are the heart of set theory

Source

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

Book Reference

Maddy,Penelope: 'Naturalism in Mathematics' [OUP 2000], p.16


A Reaction

It occurs to me that these huge cardinals only exist in set theory. If you took away that prop, they would vanish in a puff.