more from John von Neumann

Single Idea 15925

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 5. Definitions of Number / g. Von Neumann numbers]

Full Idea

Each Von Neumann ordinal number is the set of its predecessors. ...He had shown how to introduce ordinal numbers as sets, making it possible to use them without leaving the domain of sets.

Gist of Idea

Each Von Neumann ordinal number is the set of its predecessors

Source

report of John von Neumann (On the Introduction of Transfinite Numbers [1923]) by Shaughan Lavine - Understanding the Infinite V.3

Book Reference

Lavine,Shaughan: 'Understanding the Infinite' [Harvard 1994], p.122