Description: Lecture, four hours. Development of concept of set and axiomatic set theory by examining selected writings of Frege, Cantor, Russell, Zermelo, Gödel, and several others. Origins and significance of certain key ideas, such as set theory as logic, axiomatic set theory as reaction to paradoxes, formal first-order axiomatic set theory as opposed to informal axiomatics, type theory and rank hierarchy, ramification and predicativity, proper classes and sets as small classes, and particular Zermelo/Fraenkel axiomatic theory. Emphasis on actual expressed ideas and views of various influential authors. S/U or letter grading.

Units: 4.0