Single Idea 18180

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 5. Definitions of Number / g. Von Neumann numbers]

Full Idea

Von Neumann's version of the natural numbers is in fact preferred because it carries over directly to the transfinite ordinals.

Gist of Idea

Von Neumann numbers are preferred, because they continue into the transfinite

Source

comment on John von Neumann (On the Introduction of Transfinite Numbers [1923]) by Penelope Maddy - Naturalism in Mathematics I.2 n9

Book Reference

Maddy,Penelope: 'Naturalism in Mathematics' [OUP 2000], p.24