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Single Idea 17258

[filed under theme 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / e. Ordinal numbers ]

Full Idea

By saying one, one, one, one, and so forward, we know not what number we are at beyond two or three.

Gist of Idea

If we just say one, one, one, one, we don't know where we have got to

Source

Thomas Hobbes (De Corpore (Elements, First Section) [1655], 2.12.05)

Book Ref

Hobbes,Thomas: 'Metaphysical Writings', ed/tr. Calkins,Mary Whiton [Open Court 1905], p.89

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A Reaction

This makes ordinals sound like meta-numbers.