Single Idea 18846

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 1. Foundations for Mathematics]

Full Idea

One of the motivations behind Cantor's and Dedekind's pioneering explorations in the field was the ambition to give real analysis a new foundation in set theory - and hence a foundation independent of geometry.

Gist of Idea

Cantor and Dedekind aimed to give analysis a foundation in set theory (rather than geometry)

Source

Ian Rumfitt (The Boundary Stones of Thought [2015], 9.6)

Book Reference

Rumfitt,Ian: 'The Boundary Stones of Thought' [OUP 2015], p.298


A Reaction

Rumfitt is inclined to think that the project has failed, although a weaker set theory than ZF might do the job (within limits).