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The User
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Impact of the axiom of replacement on finite sets

The axiom of replacement is usually used to prove the existence of large sets, to provide a reflection principle, for transfinite recursion… However, I am wondering how it affects finite sets. Let me give two concrete questions (let S be ZF without replacement and without infinity, SF=S+replacement, Z=S+infinity):

  • Are there theorems in SF+“every set is finite” which cannot be proved in S+“every set is finite”?
  • Assume we are working in Z or ZF and consider the set $HF$ of all hereditarily finite sets: Are there “natural” statements about $HF$ which can be proved in $ZF$ but not in $Z$? (of course there are such statements, namely in $ZF$ we can prove that $HF$ is a model of some first-order statements expressing that $Z$ plus any given finite fragment of $ZF$ is consistent (and some similar statements), but I am looking for different properties)

Regards

The User
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