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Single Idea 10172

[from 'Structures and Structuralism in Phil of Maths' by E Reck / M Price, in 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 6. Mathematics as Set Theory / a. Mathematics is set theory ]

Full Idea

The merits of basing an account of mathematics on set theory are that it allows for a comprehensive unified treatment of many otherwise separate branches of mathematics, and that all assumption, including existence, are explicit in the axioms.

Gist of Idea

Set-theory gives a unified and an explicit basis for mathematics

Source

E Reck / M Price (Structures and Structuralism in Phil of Maths [2000], §4)


A Reaction

I am forming the impression that set-theory provides one rather good model (maybe the best available) for mathematics, but that doesn't mean that mathematics is set-theory. The best map of a landscape isn't a landscape.