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In a posting to mathstackexchange I've alluded to the concept of supertransitive model. Now $M$ is a supertransitive model of a set $Q$ of first order sentences, denoted by $M \models^{sptr} Q$, is defined as $M$ being a set obeying $\sf ZFC$ rules and that is supertransitive (i.e.; transitive and has all subsets of all of its elements being among it elements too) and that satisfy $Q$.

Now every $V_\kappa$ where $\kappa$ is a wordly cardinal, would serve as a supertransitive model of $\sf ZFC$, and apparantly there is no upper limit to that. However, is there a lower bound on the size of a supertransitive model of a theory? Especially of $\sf ZFC$ itself, i.e. is there a lower bound on the cardinality of a supertranstive model $M$ of $\sf ZFC$?

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If $M$ is supertransitive and satisfies $\sf ZFC$, then $\omega\in M$, and more importantly, $V_\omega\in M$.

Now by recursion, if $\alpha$ is an ordinal in $M$, then $V_\alpha\in M$ as well.

Therefore $M$ must agree on the $V_\alpha$ hierarchy, and therefore it must have the form $V_\kappa$ for a worldly cardinal $\kappa$, or $M=V$.

So the smallest supertransitive model is the least worldly cardinal.

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  • $\begingroup$ and this least worldly cardinal is singular right? $\endgroup$ Jul 28, 2021 at 18:02
  • $\begingroup$ If it exists, yes. $\endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila
    Jul 28, 2021 at 18:02
  • $\begingroup$ I think you mean the smallest size of a supertransitive model.... is the least wordly cardinal. $\endgroup$ Jul 28, 2021 at 20:10
  • $\begingroup$ Yes, I meant it's $V_\kappa$ where $\kappa$ is the least worldly cardinal. $\endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila
    Jul 28, 2021 at 20:10

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