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Single Idea 10574

[from 'Replies on 'Limits of Abstraction'' by Kit Fine, in 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / l. Zero ]

Full Idea

What is the union of the singleton {0}, of zero, and the singleton {φ}, of the null set? Is it the one-element set {0}, or the two-element set {0, φ}? Unless the question of identity between 0 and φ is resolved, we cannot say.

Gist of Idea

Unless we know whether 0 is identical with the null set, we create confusions

Source

Kit Fine (Replies on 'Limits of Abstraction' [2005], 2)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophical Studies' [-], p.388