Set theory, type theory, and absolute generality

Abstract

In light of the close connection between the ontological hierarchy of set theory and the ideological hierarchy of type theory, Øystein Linnebo and Agustín Rayo have recently offered an argument in favour of the view that the set-theoretic universe is open-ended. In this paper, we argue that, since the connection between the two hierarchies is indeed tight, any philosophical conclusions cut both ways. One should either hold that both the ontological hierarchy and the ideological hierarchy are open-ended, or that neither is. If there is reason to accept the view that the settheoretic universe is open-ended, that will be because such a view is the most compelling one to adopt on the purely ontological front. © Florio and Shapiro 2014.