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Single Idea 18834

[filed under theme 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 5. The Infinite / k. Infinitesimals ]

Full Idea

Infinitesimals do not stand in a determinate order relation to zero: we cannot say an infinitesimal is either less than zero, identical to zero, or greater than zero. ….Infinitesimals are so close to zero as to be theoretically indiscriminable from it.

Gist of Idea

Infinitesimals do not stand in a determinate order relation to zero

Source

Ian Rumfitt (The Boundary Stones of Thought [2015], 7.4)

Book Ref

Rumfitt,Ian: 'The Boundary Stones of Thought' [OUP 2015], p.215