Did Kronecker say that set theory is not mathematics?

Asked Jun 12 '17 at 12:40

Active Apr 27 '22 at 05:32

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I have frequently come across Kronecker's statement about set theory:

I don't know what predominates in Cantor's theory - philosophy or theology, but I am sure that there is no mathematics there.

It is quoted in Wikipedia. Google shows over 400 hits. But I have never seen a hint to the original source.

It need not be explained that Kronecker had a very negative attitude toward set theory. Did Kronecker say so? And if yes, where and when?

edited Apr 27 '22 at 05:32

asked Jun 12 '17 at 12:40

Franz Kurz

3

For many references to Kronecker's opposition to Cantorian set theory, you can see José Ferreirós, Labyrinth of Thought: A History of Set Theory and Its Role in Modern Mathematics, Birkhäuser (2007), sub voce, but it seems to me that Kronecker never published his critique. – Mauro ALLEGRANZA Jun 12 '17 at 15:52
That is my impression too. But since here is a pool of professional historians maybe we can find out something. – Franz Kurz Jun 12 '17 at 16:43
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There was a long discussion of it on Math Forums:"It is not found in Dauben's biography nor his paper... nor in either article by Schoenflies, nor in Bell's "Men of Mathematics"". Well, if even E.T. Bell passed up on it we can be sure that it is a fake. They documented somewhat how it spread. – Conifold Jun 12 '17 at 22:39

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