I agree with you and also with the person you replied to. But more generally -- is it fair to say that cardinality describes size as opposed to quantity? If you go with the quantity concept instead then 1-based numbering makes sense and agrees with ordinary usage.
(Disclaimer: I used to hate 1-based indexing, for reasons similar to what you are saying, but I'm brainwashed by R these days and now rather like it.)
(Disclaimer: I used to hate 1-based indexing, for reasons similar to what you are saying, but I'm brainwashed by R these days and now rather like it.)