Alfonso wrote: > > On 08/10/11 16:05, Frederick Williams wrote: > > PD wrote: > >> > >> On Oct 8, 4:57 am, Alfonso<Alfo...@duffadd.com> wrote: > > > >>> This "ladder" is not a useful concept. > >> > >> Why not? > > > > A concept that one doesn't understand is not useful. This would have > > been more accurate: > > > > This "ladder" is not a useful concept to me. > > > > But people often write with more brevity than accuracy. > > > > Who would it be useful to other than theoretical mathematicians wanting > to write something to get published and increase their "papers > published" count on their CV.
Almost all mathematicians will be happy with the cumulative hierarchy (in so far as they think about it al all) quite independently of their wish to publish. A case in point: one of my teachers, Rowbottom, was well-known for not rushing into print, or, indeed, gently strolling either. But he made famous contributions to the theory of large cardinals.
-- When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him. Jonathan Swift: Thoughts on Various Subjects, Moral and Diverting
