INTERTWINING METAPHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS: THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEORG CANTOR'S SET THEORY 1871-1887
ANNE NEWSTEADABSTRACT. Cantor's set theory went against philosophical orthodoxy, which held since Aristotle that there were no actual infinities required in mathematics. In order to promote the acceptance of his new theory, Cantor realized he would need to argue against the philosophical tradition. Cantor's main philosophical work, Grundlagen (1883), is compared with this later writings (including his Nachlass) in order to demonstrate the change in Cantor's philosophical views over time.