**Theorem:** Every totally disconnected set has the discrete topology.

**Proof:** Let $X$ be a totally disconnected set. If $X$ has only one element, the conclusion clearly follows. Otherwise, for distinct points $a, b \in X$, we have that {$a, b$} $\subset X$ is not connected. Therefore, {$a, b$} admits a separation; but the only way to write this as a disjoint union of nonempty sets is {$a$} $\cup$ {$b$}. Since this gives a separation, each of {$a$} and {$b$} is open. In particular, {$a$} is open for any $a \in X$; so $X$ has the discrete topology. Q.E.D.