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Single Idea 9895

[from 'Frege philosophy of mathematics' by Michael Dummett, in 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 4. Using Numbers / a. Units ]

Full Idea

A number is a multitude composed of units.

Gist of Idea

A number is a multitude composed of units

Source

Michael Dummett (Frege philosophy of mathematics [1991], 7 Def 2)

Book Reference

Dummett,Michael: 'Frege: philosophy of mathematics' [Duckworth 1991], p.194


A Reaction

This is outdated by the assumption that 0 and 1 are also numbers, but if we say one is really just the 'unit' which is preliminary to numbers, and 0 is as bogus a number as i is, we might stick with the original Greek distinction.