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Full Idea
Do we have to confer existence on numbers whose principle is to no longer consist of units?
Gist of Idea
Must we accept numbers as existing when they no longer consist of units?
Source
Alain Badiou (Briefings on Existence [1998], 2)
Book Ref
Badiou,Alain: 'Briefings on Existence', ed/tr. Madarsz,Norman [SUNY 2006], p.53
A Reaction
This very nicely expresses what seems to me perhaps the most important question in the philosophy of mathematics. I am reluctant to accept such 'unitless' numbers, but I then feel hopelessly old-fashioned and naïve. What to do?