Infinity: What Is It?.


Nikita Barabanov
Department of Mathematics

Abstract: We trace the viewpoints on the concept of infinity from the ancient times (India, Greece) to the Middle Ages (Bruno), and then to the 19th century (Gauss, Cantor) and 20th century (Russel, Zermelo, Hilbert, Godel, Brouwer). The difference between actual and potential infinity, axiomatic and intuitive approaches will be discussed. No special knowledge is assumed.