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Single Idea 10685

[filed under theme 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 6. Mathematics as Set Theory / a. Mathematics is set theory ]

Full Idea

Set theory is the science of infinity.

Gist of Idea

Set theory is the science of infinity

Source

Keith Hossack (Plurals and Complexes [2000], 10)

Book Ref

-: 'British Soc for the Philosophy of Science' [-], p.433


The 29 ideas from Keith Hossack

Numbers are properties, not sets (because numbers are magnitudes) [Hossack]
We can only mentally construct potential infinities, but maths needs actual infinities [Hossack]
Predicativism says only predicated sets exist [Hossack]
The iterative conception has to appropriate Replacement, to justify the ordinals [Hossack]
Limitation of Size justifies Replacement, but then has to appropriate Power Set [Hossack]
Transfinite ordinals are needed in proof theory, and for recursive functions and computability [Hossack]
'Before' and 'after' are not two relations, but one relation with two orders [Hossack]
The connective 'and' can have an order-sensitive meaning, as 'and then' [Hossack]
A thought can refer to many things, but only predicate a universal and affirm a state of affairs [Hossack]
Leibniz's Law argues against atomism - water is wet, unlike water molecules [Hossack]
Complex particulars are either masses, or composites, or sets [Hossack]
Plural reference will refer to complex facts without postulating complex things [Hossack]
Plural reference is just an abbreviation when properties are distributive, but not otherwise [Hossack]
We are committed to a 'group' of children, if they are sitting in a circle [Hossack]
Plural definite descriptions pick out the largest class of things that fit the description [Hossack]
A plural comprehension principle says there are some things one of which meets some condition [Hossack]
Plural language can discuss without inconsistency things that are not members of themselves [Hossack]
A plural language gives a single comprehensive induction axiom for arithmetic [Hossack]
The Axiom of Choice is a non-logical principle of set-theory [Hossack]
Extensional mereology needs two definitions and two axioms [Hossack]
The relation of composition is indispensable to the part-whole relation for individuals [Hossack]
The fusion of five rectangles can decompose into more than five parts that are rectangles [Hossack]
In arithmetic singularists need sets as the instantiator of numeric properties [Hossack]
The theory of the transfinite needs the ordinal numbers [Hossack]
I take the real numbers to be just lengths [Hossack]
We could ignore space, and just talk of the shape of matter [Hossack]
Set theory is the science of infinity [Hossack]
The Axiom of Choice guarantees a one-one correspondence from sets to ordinals [Hossack]
Maybe we reduce sets to ordinals, rather than the other way round [Hossack]