Set theories examines whether a set can be an element of itself or contain itself.
But linguistics already offers its own explanation for whether a set can be an element of itself or contain itself.
If I asked you do you want the whole part of the apple or a small part of the apple, notice that a "part" can be the whole part. This leads to the conclusion that an apple can be a part of itself, because the whole part exists. Edit: The part of the apple is not distinct from the apple. I can say I bit a small part of the apple or the part of the apple is a small part of itself. So I would say from a cultural perspective (English-speaking cultures), that a set should be able to be an element of itself. My arm is part of myself. Therefore, the whole part is also part of myself.
Similarly, if there was a treasure chest, and inside the treasure chest was treasure and I asked you if the treasure chest contains treasure, you would probably say "yes." But, if I asked does the treasure chest contain a treasure chest, you might probably say "no." Going by this example, a treasure chest doesn't contain a treasure chest if only treasure (and air) were inside of it. A treasure chest wouldn't contain itself. How could an empty jar contain an empty jar?
So from a linguistic/cultural perspective, the answers to the problems above should be a set can be an element of itself, but it can't contain itself. And I would say I, as an individual, am part of myself, but I do not contain myself.
Why can't we simply accept the linguistic/cultural perspective over the issues stated above?