A
set theory with the following set of
axioms:
Extensionality: two sets are equal if and only if they have
the same elements.
Union: If U is a set, so is the union of all its elements.
Pair-set: If a and b are sets, so is
a, b.
Foundation: Every set contains a set disjoint from itself.
Comprehension (or Restriction): If P is a
formula with one
free variable and X a set then
x: x is in X and P.
is a set.
Infinity: There exists an
infinite set.
Power-set: If X is a set, so is its
power set.
Zermelo set theory avoids
Russell's paradox by excluding
sets of elements with arbitrary properties - the Comprehension
axiom only allows a property to be used to select elements of
an existing set.
Zermelo Fr?nkel set theory adds the Replacement axiom.