Single Idea 13418

[catalogued under 4. Formal Logic / F. Set Theory ST / 4. Axioms for Sets / j. Axiom of Choice IX]

Full Idea

The difficulties historically attributed to the axiom of choice are probably better ascribed to the law of excluded middle.

Gist of Idea

The old problems with the axiom of choice are probably better ascribed to the law of excluded middle

Source

Charles Parsons (Review of Tait 'Provenance of Pure Reason' [2009], §2)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophia Mathematica' [-], p.225


A Reaction

The law of excluded middle was a target for the intuitionists, so presumably the debate went off in that direction.