Single Idea 10141

[catalogued under 18. Thought / E. Abstraction / 2. Abstracta by Selection]

Full Idea

Many different kinds of mathematical objects (natural numbers, the reals, points, lines, figures, groups) can be regarded as forms of abstraction, with special theories having their basis in a general theory of abstraction.

Gist of Idea

Many different kinds of mathematical objects can be regarded as forms of abstraction

Source

Kit Fine (The Limits of Abstraction [2002], I.4)

Book Reference

Fine,Kit: 'The Limits of Abstraction' [OUP 2008], p.46


A Reaction

This result, if persuasive, would be just the sort of unified account which the whole problem of abstact ideas requires.