A proof of Transfinite Induction

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This is my proof of Transfinite Induction by filling the gaps in my textbook. It would be great if someone help me verify if i correctly understand what is meant by the authors!


Let $P(\alpha)$ is a property defined for all ordinals $\alpha$. Suppose that $P(\alpha)$ is true for all $\alpha<\beta$ implies $P(\beta)$ is also true. Then $P(\alpha)$ is true for all ordinals $\alpha$.

My attempt:

Assume the contrary that $P(\gamma)$ is not true for some ordinal $\gamma$.

Let $F:=\{\alpha \in\gamma\cup\{\gamma\}\mid P(\alpha) \text{ is not true}\}$.

It follows that $\gamma\in F$ and thus $F\neq\emptyset$, and that $F$ is a set of ordinals and thus is well-ordered.

Let $\beta=\min F$. Then $\alpha\notin F$ for all $\alpha<\beta$. This implies that $P(\alpha)$ is true for all $\alpha<\beta$. By inductive hypothesis, $P(\beta)$ is also true and thus $\beta\notin F$. This is a contradiction.

Hence $P(\alpha)$ is true for all ordinals $\alpha$.