Overview
Written by one of the world's most talented philosophers
Addresses a key metaphysical concept the nature of the infinite that has baffled thinkers since Aristotle
Written in Michael Huemer's trademark informal and highly engaging style
Directly addresses the questions whether actual infinities are possible
Develops a truly original and distinctive view of the infinite
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Table of contents (14 chapters)
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The Need for a Theory of Infinity
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Old Theories of Infinity
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A New Theory of Infinity and Related Matters
Keywords
About this book
Approaching Infinity addresses seventeen paradoxes of the infinite, most of which have no generally accepted solutions. The book addresses these paradoxes using a new theory of infinity, which entails that an infinite series is uncompletable when it requires something to possess an infinite intensive magnitude. Along the way, the author addresses the nature of numbers, sets, geometric points, and related matters.
The book addresses the need for a theory of infinity, and reviews both old and new theories of infinity. It discussing the purposes of studying infinity and the troubles with traditional approaches to the problem, and concludes by offering a solution to some existing paradoxes.
Reviews
“Michael Huemer’s new book Approaching Infinity squarely takes on problems related to understanding the infinite. … Huemer’s book is indeed a very good contribution to the study of the infinite. … Huemer’s book gives a challenging and well thought out account of the infinite. His presentation is one that will surely engage anyone interested in this topic. … Approaching Infinity should be required reading for anyone with an interest in this fascinating topic.” (Biagio Gerard Tassone, dialectica, Vol. 71 (2), June, 2017)
“Approaching Infinity is entertaining and competently written. It is recommended to anybody who finds the puzzles of the infinite intrinsically interesting, but also to those who think that the paradoxes of the infinite were totally tamed by Aristotle or contemporary mathematics.” (Christopher M.P. Tomaszewski, The Review of Metaphysics, Vol. 71 (3), 2017)
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Approaching Infinity
Authors: Michael Huemer
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137560872
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan London
eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2016
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-137-56085-8Published: 14 March 2016
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-137-56086-5Published: 14 March 2016
eBook ISBN: 978-1-137-56087-2Published: 23 May 2016
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIII, 275
Topics: Metaphysics, Philosophy of Mathematics, Logic