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4. Formal Logic / F. Set Theory ST / 4. Axioms for Sets / d. Axiom of Unions III

[axiom for new sets from parts]

3 ideas
The Axiom of Union dates from 1899, and seems fairly obvious [Cantor, by Maddy]
     Full Idea: Cantor first stated the Union Axiom in a letter to Dedekind in 1899. It is nearly too obvious to deserve comment from most commentators. Justifications usually rest on 'limitation of size' or on the 'iterative conception'.
     From: report of George Cantor (works [1880]) by Penelope Maddy - Believing the Axioms I §1.3
     A reaction: Surely someone can think of some way to challenge it! An opportunity to become notorious, and get invited to conferences.
Union: ∀F ∃A ∀Y ∀x (x ∈ Y ∧ Y ∈ F → x ∈ A) [Kunen]
     Full Idea: Axiom of Union: ∀F ∃A ∀Y ∀x (x ∈ Y ∧ Y ∈ F → x ∈ A). That is, the union of a set (all the members of the members of the set) must also be a set.
     From: Kenneth Kunen (Set Theory [1980], §1.6)
Unions: There is a set of all the elements which belong to at least one set in a collection [Clegg]
     Full Idea: Axiom of Unions: For every collection of sets there exists a set that contains all the elements that belong to at least one of the sets in the collection.
     From: Brian Clegg (Infinity: Quest to Think the Unthinkable [2003], Ch.15)