[HM] Poincare on set theory

Colin McLarty (cxm7@po.cwru.edu)
Wed, 25 Aug 1999 15:52:38 -0400 (EDT)

It is a widespread idea that Poincare said set theory is a
disease from which mathematics will eventually recover; but probably not true.

Jeremy Gray has a terrific article showing not only the lack of good
evidence for the story, but also how the legend spread despite that. See

Gray, J. 1991 "Did Poincare say 'set theory is a disease'?", Mathematical
Intelligencer 13 no.1, 19-22.

Colin McLarty