more on this theme     |     more from this text


Single Idea 13446

[filed under theme 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / g. Real numbers ]

Full Idea

The real numbers were not isolated from geometry until the arithmetization of analysis during the nineteenth century.

Gist of Idea

19th century arithmetization of analysis isolated the real numbers from geometry

Source

William D. Hart (The Evolution of Logic [2010], 1)

Book Ref

Hart,W.D.: 'The Evolution of Logic' [CUP 2010], p.18


The 46 ideas from William D. Hart

Set theory articulates the concept of order (through relations) [Hart,WD]
∈ relates across layers, while ⊆ relates within layers [Hart,WD]
Without the empty set we could not form a∩b without checking that a and b meet [Hart,WD]
We can choose from finite and evident sets, but not from infinite opaque ones [Hart,WD]
With the Axiom of Choice every set can be well-ordered [Hart,WD]
Naïve set theory has trouble with comprehension, the claim that every predicate has an extension [Hart,WD]
A 'partial ordering' is irreflexive and transitive; the sets are ordered, but not the subsets [Hart,WD]
A partial ordering becomes 'total' if any two members of its field are comparable [Hart,WD]
'Well-ordering' must have a least member, so it does the natural numbers but not the integers [Hart,WD]
There are at least as many infinite cardinals as transfinite ordinals (because they will map) [Hart,WD]
The less-than relation < well-orders, and partially orders, and totally orders the ordinal numbers [Hart,WD]
19th century arithmetization of analysis isolated the real numbers from geometry [Hart,WD]
If we accept that V=L, it seems to settle all the open questions of set theory [Hart,WD]
To study abstract problems, some knowledge of set theory is essential [Hart,WD]
Tarski showed how we could have a correspondence theory of truth, without using 'facts' [Hart,WD]
We are all post-Kantians, because he set the current agenda for philosophy [Hart,WD]
The problems are the monuments of philosophy [Hart,WD]
Maybe sets should be rethought in terms of the even more basic categories [Hart,WD]
Euclid has a unique parallel, spherical geometry has none, and saddle geometry has several [Hart,WD]
Mathematics makes existence claims, but philosophers usually say those are never analytic [Hart,WD]
The failure of key assumptions in geometry, mereology and set theory throw doubt on the a priori [Hart,WD]
The Fregean concept of GREEN is a function assigning true to green things, and false to the rest [Hart,WD]
Mass words do not have plurals, or numerical adjectives, or use 'fewer' [Hart,WD]
The axiom of infinity with separation gives a least limit ordinal ω [Hart,WD]
Berry's Paradox: we succeed in referring to a number, with a term which says we can't do that [Hart,WD]
First-order logic is 'compact': consequences of a set are consequences of a finite subset [Hart,WD]
The Burali-Forti paradox is a crisis for Cantor's ordinals [Hart,WD]
Von Neumann's ordinals generalise into the transfinite better, because Zermelo's ω is a singleton [Hart,WD]
Von Neumann defines α<β as α∈β [Hart,WD]
Nowadays ZFC and NBG are the set theories; types are dead, and NF is only useful for the whole universe [Hart,WD]
The iterative conception may not be necessary, and may have fixed points or infinitely descending chains [Hart,WD]
In the modern view, foundation is the heart of the way to do set theory [Hart,WD]
Foundation Axiom: an nonempty set has a member disjoint from it [Hart,WD]
Truth for sentences is satisfaction of formulae; for sentences, either all sequences satisfy it (true) or none do [Hart,WD]
A first-order language has an infinity of T-sentences, which cannot add up to a definition of truth [Hart,WD]
Conditional Proof: infer a conditional, if the consequent can be deduced from the antecedent [Hart,WD]
∃y... is read as 'There exists an individual, call it y, such that...', and not 'There exists a y such that...' [Hart,WD]
The universal quantifier can't really mean 'all', because there is no universal set [Hart,WD]
The machinery used to solve the Liar can be rejigged to produce a new Liar [Hart,WD]
Model theory studies how set theory can model sets of sentences [Hart,WD]
We can establish truths about infinite numbers by means of induction [Hart,WD]
Model theory is mostly confined to first-order theories [Hart,WD]
Models are ways the world might be from a first-order point of view [Hart,WD]
Modern model theory begins with the proof of Los's Conjecture in 1962 [Hart,WD]
Fregean self-evidence is an intrinsic property of basic truths, rules and definitions [Hart,WD]
The smallest heap has four objects: three on the bottom, one on the top [Hart,WD, by Sorensen]