Single Idea 15910

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 1. Mathematics]

Full Idea

Cantor believed he had discovered that between the finite and the 'Absolute', which is 'incomprehensible to the human understanding', there is a third category, which he called 'the transfinite'.

Gist of Idea

Cantor named the third realm between the finite and the Absolute the 'transfinite'

Source

report of George Cantor (works [1880]) by Shaughan Lavine - Understanding the Infinite III.4

Book Reference

Lavine,Shaughan: 'Understanding the Infinite' [Harvard 1994], p.51