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Single Idea 6303

[from 'Maths as a Science of Patterns' by Michael D. Resnik, in 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 7. Mathematical Structuralism / a. Structuralism ]

Full Idea

On my view, sets are positions in certain patterns.

Gist of Idea

Sets are positions in patterns

Source

Michael D. Resnik (Maths as a Science of Patterns [1997], Three.10.5)

Book Reference

Resnik,Michael D.: 'Mathematics as a Science of Patterns' [OUP 1999], p.218


A Reaction

I have always found the ontology of a 'set' puzzling, because they seem to depend on prior reasons why something is a member of a given set, which cannot always be random. It is hard to explain sets without mentioning properties.