Tom,
If point-set topology relates to physics then you should reconsider the matter. The equating of point and number in point-sets slightly deviates from Euclid's notion of number as a measure m extending between a point zero of origin and a second point m where points do not have parts. Imagine a measure quantifying for instance the length L of a body. Is then a difference between (L) and [L]? Why cannot point-set topology perform a cut A|B between IR and IR- without an arbitrary choice between -)[, -](, -), 0, (, or undecided? Neither of these variants deserves to be called a symmetrical cut. Just Euclid's notion allowed to attribute m=0 to positive as well as negative values of measure m. The worst choices of point-number mathematics is to clueless define sign(0)=0.
I see the primary deficit in the ongoing crisis of mathematics.
Meanwhile, Dedekind's 1878 book (Stetigkeit...) is easily available in English at Project Gutenberg. Read it before making more unqualified comments.
Dedekind wrote: "I could not make up my mind to its publication, because, in the first place, the presentation did not seem altogether simple, and further, the theory itself had little promise."
Maybe he was wrong?
Eckard