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Single Idea 10808

[from 'Mathematics is Megethology' by David Lewis, in 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 4. Axioms for Number / a. Axioms for numbers ]

Full Idea

We can take the theory of singleton functions, and hence set theory, and hence mathematics, to consist of generalisations about all singleton functions.

Gist of Idea

Mathematics is generalisations about singleton functions

Source

David Lewis (Mathematics is Megethology [1993], p.03)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophia Mathematica' [-], p.3


A Reaction

At first glance this sounds like a fancy version of the somewhat discredited Greek idea that mathematics is built on the concept of a 'unit'.