more from David Lewis

Single Idea 15523

[catalogued under 4. Formal Logic / F. Set Theory ST / 5. Conceptions of Set / a. Sets as existing]

Full Idea

Set theory is not innocent. Its trouble is that when we have one thing, then somehow we have another wholly distinct thing, the singleton. And another, and another....ad infinitum. But that's the price for mathematical power. Pay it.

Gist of Idea

Set theory isn't innocent; it generates infinities from a single thing; but mathematics needs it

Source

David Lewis (Parts of Classes [1991], 3.6)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'Parts of Classes' [Blackwell 1991], p.87