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Full Idea
In current set theory, the search is on for new axioms to determine the size of the continuum.
Clarification
The 'continuum' is the complete sequence of all numbers
Gist of Idea
New axioms are being sought, to determine the size of the continuum
Source
Penelope Maddy (Believing the Axioms I [1988], §0)
Book Ref
-: 'Journal of Symbolic Logic' [-], p.482
A Reaction
This sounds the wrong way round. Presumably we seek axioms that fix everything else about set theory, and then check to see what continuum results. Otherwise we could just pick our continuum, by picking our axioms.
13011 | New axioms are being sought, to determine the size of the continuum [Maddy] |
13013 | The Axiom of Extensionality seems to be analytic [Maddy] |
13014 | Extensional sets are clearer, simpler, unique and expressive [Maddy] |
13019 | The Iterative Conception says everything appears at a stage, derived from the preceding appearances [Maddy] |
13018 | Limitation of Size is a vague intuition that over-large sets may generate paradoxes [Maddy] |
13021 | The Axiom of Infinity states Cantor's breakthrough that launched modern mathematics [Maddy] |
13022 | Infinite sets are essential for giving an account of the real numbers [Maddy] |
13023 | The Power Set Axiom is needed for, and supported by, accounts of the continuum [Maddy] |
13024 | Efforts to prove the Axiom of Choice have failed [Maddy] |
13025 | Modern views say the Choice set exists, even if it can't be constructed [Maddy] |
13026 | A large array of theorems depend on the Axiom of Choice [Maddy] |