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6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 4. Using Numbers / c. Counting procedure

14775	Numbers are just names devised for counting [Peirce]
	Full Idea: Numbers are merely a system of names devised by men for the purpose of counting.
	From: Charles Sanders Peirce (Scientific Attitude and Fallibilism [1899], II)
	A reaction: This seems a perfectly plausible view prior to the advent of Cantor, set theory and modern mathematical logic. I suppose the modern reply to this is that Peirce may be right about origin, but that men thereby stumbled on an Aladdin's Cave of riches.