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Fletcher, P (2007) Infinity. In: Philosophy of Logic, vol. 5 of the Handbook of the Philosophy of Science. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 523 -585. ISBN 0-444-51541-0

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Abstract

This essay surveys the different types of infinity that occur in pure and applied mathematics, with emphasis on: 1. the contrast between potential infinity and actual infinity; 2. Cantor's distinction between transfinite sets and absolute infinity; 3. the constructivist view of infinite quantifiers and the meaning of constructive proof; 4. the concept of feasibility and the philosophical problems surrounding feasible arithmetic; 5. Zeno's paradoxes and modern paradoxes of physical infinity involving supertasks.

Item Type: Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords: actual infinity, potential infinity, transfinite set theory, Cantor, constructivism, intuitionism, proof, feasibility, physical infinity, Zeno's paradoxes, supertasks
Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics
Divisions: Faculty of Natural Sciences > School of Computing and Mathematics
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Depositing User: Symplectic
Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2014 12:08
Last Modified: 17 Dec 2018 12:16
URI: https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/id/eprint/62

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