Full Idea
Dedkind gave a rigorous proof of the principle of definition by recursion, permitting recursive definitions of addition and multiplication, and hence proofs of the familiar arithmetical laws.
Gist of Idea
Dedekind proved definition by recursion, and thus proved the basic laws of arithmetic
Source
report of Richard Dedekind (Nature and Meaning of Numbers [1888]) by Michael Potter - The Rise of Analytic Philosophy 1879-1930 13 'Deriv'
Book Reference
Potter,Michael: 'The Rise of Anaytic Philosophy 1879-1930' [Routledge 2020], p.88