Proofs of the Cantor-Bernstein theorem. A mathematical excursion (Q417409)

The Cantor-Bernstein theorem (CBT) asserts that if three sets \(A \subseteq B \subseteq C\) are such that there exists a bijective function between \(A\) and \(C\), then there exists a bijective function between \(A\) and \(B\). The book is devoted to the history of the discovery and reception of CBT, and more generally of Cantorian set theory, from Cantor's days to 1973. The theorem, which was first called the equivalence theorem, is also known as the Schröder-Bernstein theorem. There is indeed some confusion in the literature regarding the authorship of the result, and one of the questions addressed in the book is whether Cantor actually proved CBT. The book consists of 39 chapters divided into 5 parts, with an introduction and a conclusion. Over 30 proofs of CBT are analyzed and compared in terms of proof descriptors (metaphors and gestalt). Part 1 is devoted to the early history of CBT, starting with discussions Cantor had with Dedekind in the Fall of 1882. Though both mathematicians obtained proofs of the theorem, they did not publish them. To find an explanation for this, the author examines the development of Cantor's theory and the relationship between Cantor and Dedekind. Part 2 presents the first published proofs of CBT, by Schröder (1898), Bernstein (published by Borel in 1898), Schoenflies (1900) and Zermelo (1901). It ends with a discussion of another, related theorem of Bernstein stating that if \(n\kappa = n\lambda\), where \(n\) is a natural number and \(\kappa\) and \(\lambda\) are cardinal numbers, then \(\kappa = \lambda\). This result is called the Bernstein division theorem (BDT) by the author. The debate between Poincaré and Russell is at the heart of Part 3, which also discusses work of Jourdain, Julius and Dénes König, Korselt, Peano and Zermelo. This part ends with a presentation of Hausdorff's paradox, which the author conjectures to have its origin in BDT. Part 4 deals with results concerning CBT and BDT obtained by Tarski and other luminaries of the Polish school. Finally, Part 5 discusses Hellman's proof of 1961 and connections with intuitionism and category theory. The book carries the subtitle ``A mathematical excursion'', and the author states in the Conclusion that ``we have visited many mathematical landscapes, which was the aim of our journey''. He goes on to explain in which sense his endeavor can be seen as the beginning of a new theory of proof-processing. Regarding the target audience of the work, it is stated in the Introduction that ``the book is intended for researchers in the history and philosophy of set theory or in the methodology of the development of mathematics''. Teachers of courses in set theory could be added to the list as they should be interested in the best way to convey CBT and its proof to their students.