From: Kev Jackson <kevin.jackson@...>
Date: 2005-08-12T14:01:13+09:00
Subject: Re: NEWBIE QUESTION: pattern with nil


> Woah, woah, woah. Integers are just things that satisfy a specific set 
> of axioms. The cool Georgian definition is just one way of defining a 
> bunch of items that are Integers, as much as anything that satisfies 
> those axioms are Integers. Isomorphism is a wonderful thing.

Ok, agreed it's just one way of defining 'things' that happen to satisfy 
a set of properties.  The number line thing is a suitable image that can 
be used to instruct young bored undergrads, but I think it's a helpful one .
Kev