Is the study of functions and sets more fundamental than algebra?

[tgt]

I use to think that algebra was very fundamental but it now seems not the case. The study of functions (in general) and sets would be more fundamental. Just an observation. What do you people think?

 

[Hurkyl]

The study of functions (in general) and sets would be more fundamental.

The moment you start to do that -- you could get right back to algebra. e.g. categories.

"Fundamental" is such an incredibly vague term, though...

 

[tgt]

The moment you start to do that -- you could get right back to algebra. e.g. categories.

"Fundamental" is such an incredibly vague term, though...

You could but let's say for up to graduate level, algebra involves a special kind of function called a homomorphism and consists of sets with special properties such as binary operation.

functions and sets.