Single Idea 10145

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 4. Abstract Existence]

Full Idea

It is impossible for a proponent of both sets and abstracts to identify the abstracts, in any reasonable manner, with the sets.

Gist of Idea

Abstracts cannot be identified with sets

Source

Kit Fine (The Limits of Abstraction [2002], IV.1)

Book Reference

Fine,Kit: 'The Limits of Abstraction' [OUP 2008], p.172


A Reaction

[This observation emerges from a proof Fine has just completed] Cf Idea 10137. The implication is that there is no compromise view available, and one must choose between abstraction or sets as one's account of numbers and groups of concepts.

Related Idea

Idea 10137 Abstractionism can be regarded as an alternative to set theory [Fine,K]