axiom of comprehension

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

Axiom of Comprehension

   <mathematics> An {axiom schema} of {set theory} which states:
   if P(x) is a {property} then

   	{x : P}

   is a set.  I.e. all the things with some property form a set.

   Acceptance of this axiom leads to {Russell's Paradox} which is
   why {Zermelo set theory} replaces it with a restricted form.

   (1995-03-31)