Abstraction and infinity / Paolo Mancosu.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mancosu, Paolo, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mathematics--Philosophy.

Mathematics.

Abstraction.

Infinite.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2017.

Summary:

Mancosu offers an original investigation of key notions in mathematics: abstraction and infinity, and their interaction. He gives a historical analysis of the theorizing of definitions by abstraction, and explores a novel approach to measuring the size of infinite sets, showing how this leads to deep mathematical and philosophical problems.

Contents:

The mathematical practice of definitions by abstraction from Euclid to Frege (and beyond)

The logical and philosophical reflection on definitions by abstraction : from Frege to the Peano school and Russell

Measuring the size of infinite collections of natural numbers : was Cantor's theory of infinite number inevitable?

In good company? On Hume's Principle and the assignment of numbers to infinite concepts.

Notes:

This edition previously issued in print: 2016.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-19-180909-8

0-19-106380-0