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Single Idea 14158

[from 'The Principles of Mathematics' by Bertrand Russell, in 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 4. Using Numbers / b. Quantity ]

Full Idea

Quantity, though philosophers seem to think it essential to mathematics, does not occur in pure mathematics, and does occur in many cases not amenable to mathematical treatment. The place of quantity is taken by order.

Gist of Idea

Quantity is not part of mathematics, where it is replaced by order

Source

Bertrand Russell (The Principles of Mathematics [1903], §405)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Principles of Mathematics' [Routledge 1992], p.419


A Reaction

He gives pain as an example of a quantity which cannot be treated mathematically.

Related Idea

Idea 17784 Real numbers can be eliminated, by axiom systems for complete ordered fields [Mayberry]