Introduction to set theory. The set theory of Georg Cantor and its axiomatization by Ernst Zermelo (Q5959666)

This book is an introduction into set theory, written for interested pupils, teachers, students in mathematics, informatics and philosophy. The author does not present a pure and abstract theory but develops set theory from its roots, he explains the main ideas and definitions carefully and brings them into relation to the original papers. The book covers the years from 1870-1930, starting with the results of Cantor on infinite sets and ends when set theory changed into an axiomatized theory. Many parts of original papers are quoted and reflected in modern notation. This is very helpful for the reader; many notions used in the beginnings of set theory are unfamiliar today. The reader can learn how set theory developed and what had been the main problems which had to be solved. So the book is also of great value for a reader who is interested in the history of set theory. The book is divided into three parts: The first dealing with basic concepts as cardinality, a second dealing with orders and subsets of the real numbers, and a third giving an axiomatization of set theory. The first part begins with the notion of sets, as used by Cantor. Then proofs are given. There follows the Dedekind definition of an infinite set. After that, countable sets are considered. The author goes on with uncountable sets and presents the Cantor diagonalization principle for reals and for power sets. The continuum hypothesis is reflected. The first part ends with a discussion of antinomies in set theory. In the second part the author starts with transfinite operations. This is done in connection with sets of real numbers. So the derivation of a set is defined and iterated. This gives a natural introduction to well-orderings and ordinal numbers. It is shown that well-orders are comparable. There follows the definition of ordinal numbers and cardinal numbers. Transfinite induction is explained together with some examples. Then the author investigates the order types of the rational and real numbers. He introduces perfect and scattered sets and the Cantor set. This part ends with a short biography of Cantor. The third part deals with the axiomatic foundation of set theory. It contains a biography of Zermelo.