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A Dedekind-finite ring is a ring in which $ab=1$ implies $ba=1$.

It seems natural to look for a connection to Dedekind-finite sets, however for such a set any injective endomorphism is surjective, while for a Dedekind-finite ring it goes vice versa, namely, any surjective endomorphism is injective (In other words, such a ring is Hopfian).

So, what is the motivation behind this name (for rings)?

Thanks.

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    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dedekind-infinite_set#Generalizations2011-04-17
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    See also [this thread.](http://math.stackexchange.com/q/138541/242) and [this one.](http://math.stackexchange.com/q/3852/242)2012-04-29

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It would seem to me that you should simply apply your own observation concerning Dedekind-finite sets and their definition to the left/right homotheties involved: given $ab=1$, the right homothety defined by $b$, i.e. $\vartheta_b:R\rightarrow R$, $r\mapsto rb$, viewed as a homomorphism of abelian groups, say, is clearly surjective (one has $\vartheta_b\circ\vartheta_a=\text{id}_R$); iff also $ba=1$, then $\vartheta_a\circ\vartheta_b=\text{id}_R$, making $\vartheta_b$ injective, too (note also that the one-sided multiplicative inverses of an element, when they exist, must coincide due to associativity). The endomorphism rings of finite-dimensional vector spaces over (skew) fields are, of course, standard examples of Dedekind-finite rings, further justifying (possibly) the intuitive feel that such vector spaces (and hence their endomorphism rings) are "small" in a sense. Kind regards, Stephan F. Kroneck.

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Lam has an exercise on this in Lectures on Modules and Rings pp 18:

A module M is called Dedekind finite if $M\cong M\oplus N$ implies $N=0$. $M$ is a Dedekind finite module iff $End(M_R)$ is a Dedekind finite ring. If $M$ is Hopfian, then $End(M_R)$ is Dedekind finite, but not always conversely. The case when $M=R_R$, Dedekind finiteness of $R_R$ turns out to be equivalent to being a Hopfian module, since $R_R$ is projective.

I spent some time looking at rings where $R_R$ was $\textit{coHopfian}$, and found some interesting stuff. For one thing, it's not the same as being a coHopfian object in the category of rings. It took a lot of digging but I finally found an example given by Varadarajan of a left-not-right (module)-coHopfian ring.

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    @BillDubuque We are definitely not on those terms yet, but as a compromise, you can find me idling in the crusade of answers chat during the day.2014-02-06
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    @BillDubuque Let's at least try chat first, and go from there.2014-02-11
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    @BillDubuque *We are definitely not on those terms yet, but as a compromise, you can find me idling in the crusade of answers chat during the day.* Even if I'm not logged in, you can click my name and initiate a semiprivate chat. I don't think it's a very good idea to engage in private correspondence with anyone I don't know well, or who engages in less-than-friendly interactions with me. You could begin to dispel that impression by engaging in casual chats as I am suggesting.2014-04-22
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    @BillDubuque This is all just commonsense internet privacy practice. I wouldn't give you my home address either. If you ever get over this strange aversion to a simple chat, just let me know.2014-04-22
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    @BillDubuque trust me, I will not be going that far out of my way at this time when you won't even take me up on this harmless chat compromise. I could change my mind someday, if forthcoming conversations aren't so adversarial, but not this month. Good evening to you.2014-04-22
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    I cleaned up the prior comments since they are not of any use to anyone else. Maybe we talk offsite some time in the future. Enjoy.2014-04-25