Single Idea 14420

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

Full Idea

The nature of infinity and continuity belonged in former days to philosophy, but belongs now to mathematics.

Gist of Idea

Infinity and continuity used to be philosophy, but are now mathematics

Source

Bertrand Russell (Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy [1919], Pref)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy' [George Allen and Unwin 1975], p.-6


A Reaction

It is hard to disagree, since mathematicians since Cantor have revealed so much about infinite numbers (through set theory), but I think it remains an open question whether philosophers have anything distinctive to contribute.