The inconsistency of countable infinite sets

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to show countable infinite sets are self‐contradictory non‐sets.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a conceptual discussion.

Findings

Since, long ago, it has been commonly believed that the establishment and development of modern axiomatic set theory have provided a method to explain Russell's paradox. On the other hand, even though it has not been proven theoretically that there will not appear new paradoxes in modern axiomatic set theory, it has been indeed a century that no one has found a new paradox in modern axiomatic set theory. However, when we revisit some well‐known results and problems under the thinking logic of allowing two kinds of infinities, we discover that various countable infinite sets, widely studied and employed in modern axiomatic set theory, are all specious non‐sets.

Originality/value

A well‐known concept is shown to be not as correct as what has been believed.

Citation

Zhu, W., Lin, Y., Du, G. and Gong, N. (2008), "The inconsistency of countable infinite sets", Kybernetes, Vol. 37 No. 3/4, pp. 446-452. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684920810863408