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Single Idea 16895

[filed under theme 4. Formal Logic / F. Set Theory ST / 3. Types of Set / b. Empty (Null) Set ]

Full Idea

Frege regarded the null set as an indefensible entity from the point of view of iterative set theory. It collects nothing.

Gist of Idea

The null set is indefensible, because it collects nothing

Source

report of Gottlob Frege (works [1890]) by Tyler Burge - Frege on Apriority (with ps) 2

Book Ref

Burge,Tyler: 'Truth, Thought, Reason (on Frege)' [OUP 2001], p.371

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A Reaction

The null set defines the possibility that something could be collected. At the very least, it introduces curly brackets into the language.