Principia Mathematica - Volume One Pdf, Epub, Ebook

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Principia Mathematica - Volume One Pdf, Epub, Ebook PRINCIPIA MATHEMATICA - VOLUME ONE PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Alfred North Whitehead,Russell Bertrand | 666 pages | 28 Feb 2009 | Merchant Books | 9781603861823 | English | [S.l.], United States Principia Mathematica - Volume One PDF Book Frank P. Although I did learn a great deal about logic from the first thirty or so pages I did manage to read. Set theory. The great three-volume Principia Mathematica CUP is deservedly the most famous work ever written on the foundations of mathematics. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Refresh and try again. Sanjay yadav rated it it was amazing Oct 21, The theory of types adopts grammatical restrictions on formulas that rules out the unrestricted comprehension of classes, properties, and functions. Indigo Blue rated it it was amazing Mar 27, Escape the Present with These 24 Historical Romances. General readers have benefited from his many popular writings on a wide variety of topics. Collins Chipeta rated it liked it Feb 23, Wittgenstein did, however, concede that Principia may nonetheless make some aspects of everyday arithmetic clearer. Start your review of Principia Mathematica, Vol 1. Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file. Noted also for his many spirited anti-nuclear protests and for his campaign against western involvement in the Vietnam War, Russell remained a prominent public figure until his death at the age of Alfred North Whitehead , Bertrand Russell. Couverture rigide. Friend Reviews. Published February 21st by Merchant Books first published However, Principia Mathematica required, in addition to the basic axioms of type theory, three further axioms that seemed to not be true as mere matters of logic, namely the axiom of infinity , the axiom of choice , and the axiom of reducibility. Observe that, as in the original, the left dot is square and of greater size than the period on the right. Download as PDF Printable version. In the revised theory, the Introduction presents the notion of "atomic proposition", a "datum" that "belongs to the philosophical part of logic". Bluecatblues rated it really liked it Mar 16, Details if other :. Equipped with this notation PM can create formulas to express the following: "If all Greeks are men and if all men are mortals then all Greeks are mortals". Bertrand Russell. He [Russell] said once, after some contact with the Chinese language, that he was horrified to find that the language of Principia Mathematica was an Indo-European one. Unfortunately the single dot but also " : ", " :. Hardy, G. Principia Mathematica - Volume One Writer Lisa Edwin rated it it was amazing Oct 09, Wittgenstein in his Lectures on the Foundations of Mathematics, Cambridge criticised Principia on various grounds, such as:. Contemporary mathematicians tend to use a modernized form of the system of Zermelo—Fraenkel set theory. Nonetheless, the scholarly, historical, and philosophical interest in PM is great and ongoing: for example, the Modern Library placed it 23rd in a list of the top English-language nonfiction books of the twentieth century. Alfred North Whitehead. More Details In the revised theory, the Introduction presents the notion of "atomic proposition", a "datum" that "belongs to the philosophical part of logic". If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required. PM can now write, and evaluate:. But as we advanced, it became increasingly evident that the subject is a very much larger one than we had supposed; moreover on many fundamental questions which had been left obscure and doubtful in the former work, we have now arrived at what we believe to be satisfactory solutions. Other editions. However, Principia Mathematica required, in addition to the basic axioms of type theory, three further axioms that seemed to not be true as mere matters of logic, namely the axiom of infinity , the axiom of choice , and the axiom of reducibility. Start your review of Principia Mathematica, Vol 1. An "extensional stance" and restriction to a second-order predicate logic means that a propositional function extended to all individuals such as "All 'x' are blue" now has to list all of the 'x' that satisfy are true in the proposition, listing them in a possibly infinite conjunction: e. This covers the definition and basic properties of cardinals. Wes rated it really liked it Jan 19, Deeper theorems from real analysis were not included, but by the end of the third volume it was clear to experts that a large amount of known mathematics could in principle be developed in the adopted formalism. Sunakshi rated it it was amazing Apr 25, At that stage, it was incomprehensible because I had no knowledge of mathematical logic. Mathematical logic Boolean algebra Set theory. Seems that I must have, but I'm not sure. Hardy, G. Read more Authority control BNF : cbs data. Equipped with this notation PM can create formulas to express the following: "If all Greeks are men and if all men are mortals then all Greeks are mortals". In simple type theory objects are elements of various disjoint "types". Pp associative principle. Enlarge cover. Thus in the formal Kleene symbol set below, the "interpretation" of what the symbols commonly mean, and by implication how they end up being used, is given in parentheses, e. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Outline History. But this is not a pure Formalist theory. PM The theory would specify only how the symbols behave based on the grammar of the theory. A library assistant was going round the shelves carrying an enormous bucket, taking down books, glancing at them, restoring them to the shelves or dumping them into the bucket. Russell and Whitehead's notation for building up types from other types is rather cumbersome, and the notation here is due to Church. I know very few other people who have ventured into this work. A propos de cet article Cambridge, Adventures of Ideas is an essay in the philosophy of culture; it centers on what Whitehead considered the key ideas that have shaped Western culture. Pp principle of summation. This is n I first encountered this work by Russell and Whitehead when I was aged sixteen. Cambridge: University Press. Sanjay yadav rated it it was amazing Oct 21, However, this is not the stronger sense of completeness desired for Principia Mathematica, since a given system of axioms such as those of Principia Mathematica may have many models, in some of which a given statement is true and in others of which that statement is false, so that the statement is left undecided by the axioms. Strictly speaking this is not quite correct, because PM allows two propositional functions to be different even if they take the same values on all arguments; this differs from current mathematical practice where one normally identifies two such functions. Whether these symbols have specific meanings or are just for visual clarification is unclear. PM , according to its introduction, had three aims: 1 to analyze to the greatest possible extent the ideas and methods of mathematical logic and to minimize the number of primitive notions and axioms , and inference rules ; 2 to precisely express mathematical propositions in symbolic logic using the most convenient notation that precise expression allows; 3 to solve the paradoxes that plagued logic and set theory at the turn of the 20th century, like Russell's paradox. Propositional logic itself was known to be consistent, but the same had not been established for Principia' s axioms of set theory. Principia Mathematica - Volume One Reviews Books by Bertrand Russell. Enlarge cover. However, one can ask if some recursively axiomatizable extension of it is complete and consistent. This covers the definition and basic properties of cardinals. See Hilbert's second problem. Pp principle of tautology. A few small tears to the cloth at the back hinge and on the back board. Feb 07, Marv rated it liked it Shelves: math. The New York Times Company. Showing Although he was usually regarded as English, as he spent the majority of his life in England, he was born in Wales, where he also died. Volume I. Namespaces Article Talk. Observe that, as in the original, the left dot is square and of greater size than the period on the right. Thus, this profound text is mostly of historical significance. Zalta, Edward N. Rating details. Agrandir les images. Be the first to ask a question about Principia Mathematica, Vol 1. In Zermelo set theory one can model the ramified type theory of PM as follows. An "extensional stance" and restriction to a second-order predicate logic means that a propositional function extended to all individuals such as "All 'x' are blue" now has to list all of the 'x' that satisfy are true in the proposition, listing them in a possibly infinite conjunction: e. Nevertheless, it remains an instructive read in terms of its noble undertaking. Over the course of a long career, Russell also made contributions to a broad range of subjects, including the history of ideas, ethics, political and educational theory, and religious studies. From his work on mathematics and its logical foundations, Whitehead proceeded to what has been regarded as the second phase of his career. Trivia About Principia Mathema Wes rated it really liked it Jan 19, The typical notation would be similar to the following:. Read more Download as PDF Printable version. This new proposal resulted in a dire outcome. Such things can exist ad finitum , i. Principia Mathematica is principally of its time and our metamathematical perspective and understanding have moved on. For all that, PM is not widely used today: probably the foremost reason for this is its reputation for typographical complexity.
Recommended publications
  • Basic Concepts of Set Theory, Functions and Relations 1. Basic
    Ling 310, adapted from UMass Ling 409, Partee lecture notes March 1, 2006 p. 1 Basic Concepts of Set Theory, Functions and Relations 1. Basic Concepts of Set Theory........................................................................................................................1 1.1. Sets and elements ...................................................................................................................................1 1.2. Specification of sets ...............................................................................................................................2 1.3. Identity and cardinality ..........................................................................................................................3 1.4. Subsets ...................................................................................................................................................4 1.5. Power sets .............................................................................................................................................4 1.6. Operations on sets: union, intersection...................................................................................................4 1.7 More operations on sets: difference, complement...................................................................................5 1.8. Set-theoretic equalities ...........................................................................................................................5 Chapter 2. Relations and Functions ..................................................................................................................6
    [Show full text]
  • Are Large Cardinal Axioms Restrictive?
    Are Large Cardinal Axioms Restrictive? Neil Barton∗ 24 June 2020y Abstract The independence phenomenon in set theory, while perva- sive, can be partially addressed through the use of large cardinal axioms. A commonly assumed idea is that large cardinal axioms are species of maximality principles. In this paper, I argue that whether or not large cardinal axioms count as maximality prin- ciples depends on prior commitments concerning the richness of the subset forming operation. In particular I argue that there is a conception of maximality through absoluteness, on which large cardinal axioms are restrictive. I argue, however, that large cardi- nals are still important axioms of set theory and can play many of their usual foundational roles. Introduction Large cardinal axioms are widely viewed as some of the best candi- dates for new axioms of set theory. They are (apparently) linearly ordered by consistency strength, have substantial mathematical con- sequences for questions independent from ZFC (such as consistency statements and Projective Determinacy1), and appear natural to the ∗Fachbereich Philosophie, University of Konstanz. E-mail: neil.barton@uni- konstanz.de. yI would like to thank David Aspero,´ David Fernandez-Bret´ on,´ Monroe Eskew, Sy-David Friedman, Victoria Gitman, Luca Incurvati, Michael Potter, Chris Scam- bler, Giorgio Venturi, Matteo Viale, Kameryn Williams and audiences in Cambridge, New York, Konstanz, and Sao˜ Paulo for helpful discussion. Two anonymous ref- erees also provided helpful comments, and I am grateful for their input. I am also very grateful for the generous support of the FWF (Austrian Science Fund) through Project P 28420 (The Hyperuniverse Programme) and the VolkswagenStiftung through the project Forcing: Conceptual Change in the Foundations of Mathematics.
    [Show full text]
  • THE 1910 PRINCIPIA's THEORY of FUNCTIONS and CLASSES and the THEORY of DESCRIPTIONS*
    EUJAP VOL. 3 No. 2 2007 ORIGinal SCienTifiC papeR UDK: 165 THE 1910 PRINCIPIA’S THEORY OF FUNCTIONS AND CLASSES AND THE THEORY OF DESCRIPTIONS* WILLIAM DEMOPOULOS** The University of Western Ontario ABSTRACT 1. Introduction It is generally acknowledged that the 1910 Prin- The 19101 Principia’s theory of proposi- cipia does not deny the existence of classes, but tional functions and classes is officially claims only that the theory it advances can be developed so that any apparent commitment to a “no-classes theory of classes,” a theory them is eliminable by the method of contextual according to which classes are eliminable. analysis. The application of contextual analysis But it is clear from Principia’s solution to ontological questions is widely viewed as the to the class paradoxes that although the central philosophical innovation of Russell’s theory of descriptions. Principia’s “no-classes theory it advances holds that classes are theory of classes” is a striking example of such eliminable, it does not deny their exis- an application. The present paper develops a re- tence. Whitehead and Russell argue from construction of Principia’s theory of functions the supposition that classes involve or and classes that is based on Russell’s epistemo- logical applications of the method of contextual presuppose propositional functions to the analysis. Such a reconstruction is not eliminativ- conclusion that the paradoxical classes ist—indeed, it explicitly assumes the existence of are excluded by the nature of such func- classes—and possesses certain advantages over tions. This supposition rests on the repre- the no–classes theory advocated by Whitehead and Russell.
    [Show full text]
  • How Peircean Was the “'Fregean' Revolution” in Logic?
    HOW PEIRCEAN WAS THE “‘FREGEAN’ REVOLUTION” IN LOGIC? Irving H. Anellis Peirce Edition, Institute for American Thought Indiana University – Purdue University at Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN, USA [email protected] Abstract. The historiography of logic conceives of a Fregean revolution in which modern mathematical logic (also called symbolic logic) has replaced Aristotelian logic. The preeminent expositors of this conception are Jean van Heijenoort (1912–1986) and Don- ald Angus Gillies. The innovations and characteristics that comprise mathematical logic and distinguish it from Aristotelian logic, according to this conception, created ex nihlo by Gottlob Frege (1848–1925) in his Begriffsschrift of 1879, and with Bertrand Rus- sell (1872–1970) as its chief This position likewise understands the algebraic logic of Augustus De Morgan (1806–1871), George Boole (1815–1864), Charles Sanders Peirce (1838–1914), and Ernst Schröder (1841–1902) as belonging to the Aristotelian tradi- tion. The “Booleans” are understood, from this vantage point, to merely have rewritten Aristotelian syllogistic in algebraic guise. The most detailed listing and elaboration of Frege’s innovations, and the characteristics that distinguish mathematical logic from Aristotelian logic, were set forth by van Heijenoort. I consider each of the elements of van Heijenoort’s list and note the extent to which Peirce had also developed each of these aspects of logic. I also consider the extent to which Peirce and Frege were aware of, and may have influenced, one another’s logical writings. AMS (MOS) 2010 subject classifications: Primary: 03-03, 03A05, 03C05, 03C10, 03G27, 01A55; secondary: 03B05, 03B10, 03E30, 08A20; Key words and phrases: Peirce, abstract algebraic logic; propositional logic; first-order logic; quantifier elimina- tion, equational classes, relational systems §0.
    [Show full text]
  • Foundations of Mathematics
    Foundations of Mathematics. Does mathematics need foundations? (Not until 1900.) Mathematical approach: Work towards an axiom system of mathematics with purely mathematical means. ( Hilbert’s Programme ). In its naïve interpretation crushed by Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem. Extra-mathematical approach: Use external arguments for axioms and rules: pragmatic, philosophical, sociological, (theological ?). Foundations of number theory: test case. Core Logic – 2007/08-1ab – p. 2/36 Sets are everything (1). Different areas of mathematics use different primitive notions: ordered pair, function, natural number, real number, transformation, etc. Set theory is able to incorporate all of these in one framework: Ordered Pair. We define hx, y i := {{ x}, {x, y }} . (Kuratowski pair ) Function. A set f is called a function if there are sets X and Y such that f ⊆ X × Y and ′ ′ ′ ∀x, y, y hx, y i ∈ f&hx, y i ∈ f → y = y . Core Logic – 2007/08-1ab – p. 3/36 Sets are everything (2). Set theory incorporates basic notions of mathematics: Natural Numbers. We call a set X inductive if it contains ∅ and for each x ∈ X, we have x ∪ { x} ∈ X. Assume that there is an inductive set. Then define N to be the intersection of all inductive sets. Rational Numbers. We define P := {0, 1} × N × N\{ 0}, then hi, n, m i ∼ h j, k, ℓ i : ⇐⇒ i = j & n · ℓ = m · k, and Q := P/∼. Core Logic – 2007/08-1ab – p. 4/36 Sets are everything (3). Set theory incorporates basic notions of mathematics: Real Numbers. Define an order on Q by hi, n, m i ≤ h j, k, ℓ i : ⇐⇒ i < j ∨ (i = j & n · ℓ ≤ k · m).
    [Show full text]
  • Russell's Paradox: Let a Be the Set of All Sets Which Do Not Contain
    Russell’s paradox: Let A be the set of all sets which do not contain themselves = {S | S 6∈ S} Ex: {1} ∈ {{1}, {1, 2}}, but {1} 6∈ {1} Is A∈A? Suppose A∈A. Then by definition of A, A 6∈ A. Suppose A 6∈ A. Then by definition of A, A∈A. Thus we need axioms in order to create mathematical objects. Principia Mathematica by Alfred North Whitehead and Bertrand Russell From: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/principia-mathematica/ Logicism is the view that (some or all of) mathematics can be reduced to (formal) logic. It is often explained as a two-part thesis. First, it consists of the claim that all mathematical truths can be translated into logical truths or, in other words, that the vocabulary of mathematics constitutes a proper subset of the vocabulary of logic. Second, it consists of the claim that all mathematical proofs can be recast as logical proofs or, in other words, that the theorems of mathematics constitute a proper subset of the theorems of logic. In Bertrand Russell’s words, it is the logicist’s goal ”to show that all pure mathematics follows from purely logical premises and uses only concepts definable in logical terms.”[1] From: http://www.math.vanderbilt.edu/∼schectex/ccc/choice.html Axiom of Choice. Let C be a collection of nonempty sets. Then we can choose a member from each set in that collection. In other words, there exists a function f defined on C with the property that, for each set S in the collection, f(S) is a member of S.
    [Show full text]
  • The Substitutional Paradox in Russell's 1907 Letter to Hawtrey
    THE SUBSTITUTIONAL PARADOX IN RUSSELL’S 1907 LETTER TO HAWTREY B L Philosophy / U. of Alberta Edmonton, , Canada .@. This note presents a transcription of Russell’s letter to Hawtrey of January accompanied by some proposed emendations. In that letter Russell describes the paradox that he says “pilled” the “substitutional theory” devel- oped just before he turned to the theory of types. A close paraphrase of the deri- vation of the paradox in a contemporary Lemmon-style natural deduction system shows which axioms the theory must assume to govern its characteristic notion of substituting individuals and propositions for each other in other propositions. Other discussions of this paradox in the literature are mentioned. I conclude with remarks about the significance of the paradox for Russell. n the years to Bertrand Russell worked on what is now called the “substitutional theory” with its primitive notion of substi- Ituting one entity for another in a proposition, as a foundation for logic and source of a solution to the paradoxes. Russell abandoned that approach quite abruptly and returned to a logic based on propositional functions, eventually to appear as Principia Mathematica. Almost all of the material on the substitutional theory has remained unpublished; however, much will appear in print as the subject matter of Volume of the Collected Papers of Bertrand Russell. In recent years there has been some discussion of the substitutional theory, most prominently by Including, one may hope, a transcription of the letter which is the topic of this note. russell: the Journal of Bertrand Russell Studies n.s. (winter –): – The Bertrand Russell Research Centre, McMaster U.
    [Show full text]
  • Weyl's `Das Kontinuum' — 100 Years Later
    Arnon Avron Weyl's `Das Kontinuum' | 100 years later Orevkov'80 Conference St. Petersburg Days of Logic and Computability V April 2020 Prologue All platonists are alike; each anti-platonist is unhappy in her/his own way... My aim in this talk is first of all to present Weyl's views and system, at the time he wrote \Das Kontinuum" (exactly 100 years ago). Then I'll try to describe mine, which I believe are rather close to Weyl's original ideas (but still different). Weyl's Goals \I shall show that the house of analysis is to a large degree built on sand. I believe that I can replace this shifting foundation with pillars of enduring strength. They will not, however, support everything which today is generally considered to be securely grounded. I give up the rest, since I see no other possibility." \I would like to be understood . by all students who have become acquainted with the currently canonical and al- legedly `rigorous' foundations of analysis." \In spite of Dedekind, Cantor, and Weierstrass, the great task which has been facing us since the Pythagorean dis- covery of the irrationals remains today as unfinished as ever" Weyl and P´olya's Wager in 1918 Within 20 years P´olya and the majority of representative mathematicians will admit that the statements 1 Every bounded set of reals has a precise supremum 2 Every infinite set of numbers contains a denumerable subset contain totally vague concepts, such as \number," \set," and \denumerable," and therefore that their truth or fal- sity has the same status as that of the main propositions of Hegel's natural philosophy.
    [Show full text]
  • On Formally Undecidable Propositions of Principia Mathematica and Related Systems KURT GÖDEL
    On Formally Undecidable Propositions of Principia Mathematica And Related Systems KURT GÖDEL Translated by B. MELTZER Introduction by R. B. BRAITHWAITE TO CHRISTOPHER FERNAU in gratitude FL: Page 1 11/10/00 PREFACE Kurt Gödel’s astonishing discovery and proof, published in 1931, that even in elementary parts of arithmetic there exist propositions which cannot be proved or disproved within the system, is one of the most important contributions to logic since Aristotle. Any formal logical system which disposes of sufficient means to compass the addition and multiplication of positive integers and zero is subject to this limitation, so that one must consider this kind of incompleteness an inherent characteristic of formal mathematics as a whole, which was before this customarily considered the unequivocal intellectual discipline par excellence. No English translation of Gödel’s paper, which occupied twenty-five pages of the Monatshefte für Mathematik und Physik, has been generally available, and even the original German text is not everywhere easily accessible. The argument, which used a notation adapted from that of Whitehead and Russell’s Principia Mathematica, is a closely reasoned one and the present translation—besides being a long overdue act of piety—should make it more easily intelligible and much more widely read. In the former respect the reader will be greatly aided by the Introduction contributed by the Knightbridge Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Cambridge; for this is an excellent work of scholarship in its own right, not only pointing out the significance of Gödel’s work, but illuminating it by a paraphrase of the major part of the whole great argument.
    [Show full text]
  • The Propositional Logic of Principia Mathematica and Some of Its
    The propositional logic ofPM 93 2. Before and after Principia Mathematica One source which would have answered all questions is, of course, Russell. I imagine that he worked out all the demonstrations in detail and then condensed them to the current abbreviated form. At the least he must have had a sketch for The propositional logic of the complete demonstration. Presumably the next step would be to send them to Whitehead for comments. For a discussion of this process see Douglas Lackey's "The Whitehead Correspondence" [10]. In any case neither Russell's working Principia Mathematica and papers nor the letters to and responses from Whitehead concerning Part I, Section A are in the Russell Archives. There is however a letter from Whitehead to Russell some of its forerunners which indicates that, in an early draft of Part I, Section A, the demonstrations had not been written out in sufficient detail. Whitehead says, "Everything, even the object of the book, has been sacrificed to making the proofs look short and neat. It by Daniel J. O'Leary is essential, especially in the early parts that the proofs be written out fully-" (emphasis in original). This letter [31] had been later dated by Russell and a types­ cript [32]"prepared. On the bottom of the letter Russell has written, "Whitehead's criticism of *1-*5 ofPrincipia Mathematica". On the bottom of the typescript Rus­ sell wrote, "A criticism of my first draft of the Logic of Propositions for the begin­ ning of Principia Mathematica. Whitehead was entirely right." Russell assigned a I.
    [Show full text]
  • Kurt Gödel 1931
    Kurt Godel,¨ ‘Uber¨ formal unentscheidbare Satze¨ der Principia mathematica und verwandter Systeme I’ (1931) Richard Zach First publication: Monatshefte fur¨ Mathematik und Physik, 37, 173–198 Reprints: S. Feferman et al., eds., Kurt Godel.¨ Collected Works. Volume I: Publi- cations 1929–1936. New York: Oxford University Press, 1986, pp. 116–195. Translations: English translations: ‘On formally undecidable propositions of Prin- cipia mathematica and related systems I.’ Translation by B. Meltzer, On Formally Undecidable Propositions of Principia Mathematica and Related Systems, Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1962. Translation by E. Mendelsohn in M. Davis, The Undecidable, Hewlett, N.Y.: Raven Press, 1965, pp. 4–38. Translation and introduction by J. van Heijenoort in J. van Heijenoort (ed.), From Frege to Godel.¨ A Source Book in Mathe- matical Logic, Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1967, pp. 592–617. Van Heijenoort’s translation was approved by Godel¨ and is reprinted with an introduction by S. C. Kleene in S. Feferman et al., eds., Kurt Godel.¨ Collected Works. Volume I: Publications 1929–1936. New York: Oxford University Press, 1986, pp. 126– 195 (also contains several related pieces). Also reprinted in S. G. Shanker, Godel’s¨ Theorem in Focus, London: Routledge, 1988, pp. 17–47. Spanish translations: ‘So- bre proposiciones formalmente indecidibles de los Principia Mathematica y sistemas afines.’ Cuadernos Teorema 8. Valencia (Spain): Revista Teorema, 1980, by M. Gar- rido, A. Garc´ıa Suarez, and L. Ml. Valdes.;´ ‘Sobre sentencias formalmente inde- cidibles de Principa Matematica y sistemas afines,’ In: K. Godel,¨ Obras Completas, J. Moster´ın (ed.), Madrid: Alianza Editorial,1981, pp. 45–90.
    [Show full text]
  • The Axiom of Choice and Its Implications in Mathematics
    Treball final de grau GRAU DE MATEMATIQUES` Facultat de Matem`atiquesi Inform`atica Universitat de Barcelona The Axiom of Choice and its implications in mathematics Autor: Gina Garcia Tarrach Director: Dr. Joan Bagaria Realitzat a: Departament de Matem`atiques i Inform`atica Barcelona, 29 de juny de 2017 Abstract The Axiom of Choice is an axiom of set theory which states that, given a collection of non-empty sets, it is possible to choose an element out of each set of the collection. The implications of the acceptance of the Axiom are many, some of them essential to the de- velopment of contemporary mathematics. In this work, we give a basic presentation of the Axiom and its consequences: we study the Axiom of Choice as well as some of its equivalent forms such as the Well Ordering Theorem and Zorn's Lemma, some weaker choice principles, the implications of the Axiom in different fields of mathematics, so- me paradoxical results implied by it, and its role within the Zermelo-Fraenkel axiomatic theory. i Contents Introduction 1 0 Some preliminary notes on well-orders, ordinal and cardinal numbers 3 1 Historical background 6 2 The Axiom of Choice and its Equivalent Forms 9 2.1 The Axiom of Choice . 9 2.2 The Well Ordering Theorem . 10 2.3 Zorn's Lemma . 12 2.4 Other equivalent forms . 13 3 Weaker Forms of the Axiom of Choice 14 3.1 The Axiom of Dependent Choice . 14 3.2 The Axiom of Countable Choice . 15 3.3 The Boolean Prime Ideal Theorem .
    [Show full text]