# Cantor's Theorem/Proof 1

## Theorem

There is no surjection from a set $S$ to its power set for any set $S$.

## Proof

Aiming for a contradiction, suppose $S$ is a set with a surjection $f: S \to \powerset S$.

Then:

 $\displaystyle \forall x \in S: \map f x$ $\in$ $\displaystyle \powerset S$ By Hypothesis $\displaystyle \leadsto \ \$ $\displaystyle \forall x \in S: \map f x$ $\subseteq$ $\displaystyle S$ Definition of Power Set

Now by Law of Excluded Middle, there are two choices for every $x \in S$:

$x \in \map f x$
$x \notin \map f x$

Let $T = \set {x \in S: x \notin \map f x}$.

As $f$ is supposed to be a surjection, $\exists a \in S: T = \map f a$.

Thus:

$a \in \map f a \implies a \notin \map f a$
$a \notin \map f a \implies a \in \map f a$

This is a contradiction, so the initial supposition that there is such a surjection must be false.

$\blacksquare$

#### Law of the Excluded Middle

This proof depends on the Law of the Excluded Middle.

This is one of the axioms of logic that was determined by Aristotle, and forms part of the backbone of classical (Aristotelian) logic.

However, the intuitionist school rejects the Law of the Excluded Middle as a valid logical axiom. This in turn invalidates this proof from an intuitionistic perspective.