more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 14113

[catalogued under 4. Formal Logic / F. Set Theory ST / 3. Types of Set / b. Empty (Null) Set]

Full Idea

The null class is a fiction.

Gist of Idea

The null class is a fiction

Source

Bertrand Russell (The Principles of Mathematics [1903], §079)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Principles of Mathematics' [Routledge 1992], p.81


A Reaction

This does not commit him to regarding all classes as fictions - though he seems to have eventually come to believe that. The null class seems to have a role something like 'Once upon a time...' in story-telling. You can then tell truth or fiction.