Abstract

Set theory is concerned with the foundations of mathematics. In the original formulations, there were paradoxes concerning the idea of the "set of all sets." Current standard theory avoids these paradoxes by restricting the way sets may be formed by other sets specifically to disallow the possibility of forming the set of all sets. In the 1930s, Quine proposed a different form of set theory in which the set of all sets-- the universal set-- is allowed, but other restrictions are placed on these axioms. Since then, the steady interest expressed in these non-standard set theories has been boosted by their relevance to computer science. This text concentrates heavily on Quine's New Foundations, reflecting the author's belief that it provides the richest and most mysterious of the various systems dealing with set theories with a universal set. The result is a work that provides a useful introduction for those new to this topic, and a valuable reference for those already involved in the area.