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9 votes
0 answers
264 views

Consequences of recent claims of Ordinal Analysis of $Z_2$

Recently Toshiyasu Arai submitted "An ordinal analysis of $\Pi_{N}$-Collection" and Henry Towsner submitted "Proofs that Modify Proofs", both of which claim ordinal analysis of ...
13 votes
3 answers
1k views

Which ordinals can be proof-theoretic ordinals of a reasonable theory?

When talking to a friend recently he asked a question - are there any reasonable first-order theories which have proof theoretic ordinal equal to small or large Veblen ordinal? I have then extended ...
4 votes
1 answer
269 views

Does Peano's axioms prove $\alpha$-induction for primitive recursive sequences for every concrete $\alpha < \varepsilon_0$?

It is well-known that Peano's axioms (PA) cannot prove $\varepsilon_0$-induction for primitive recursive sequences (PRWO($\varepsilon_0$)), because PA + PRWO($\varepsilon_0$) proves the consistency of ...
6 votes
0 answers
181 views

Iterated $\Pi^1_1$-reflection and non-Gandiness underrepresented in ordinal analyses?

This is a copy of Math StackExchange question #4395977, which I felt was more appropriate for MathOverflow. Note on terminology: "admissible", "$(^+)$-stable", and "$\Pi^1_1$-...
5 votes
1 answer
310 views

How closely do ordinal collapsing functions relate to Mostowski collapse?

Ordinal collapsing functions (such as Rathjen's $\psi_\pi$-functions, not the Levy collapse function) name large countable ordinals by mapping larger ordinals below some "large" ordinal, ...
8 votes
2 answers
560 views

Models of PRA/EFA with induction on $X$ but not $\omega^X$

As I currently understand it, induction on formulas containing $N+1$ first-order quantifiers is required to prove the well-ordering of the ordinal $(\omega \uparrow\uparrow N) < \epsilon_0$, that ...
2 votes
0 answers
194 views

How closely do ordinal collapsing functions relate to Skolem hulls?

Ordinal collapsing functions appear in proof theory, and they are used to name large countable ordinals by using uncountable ordinals. Previously I posted a question about why $\psi(\alpha)$ is ...
1 vote
0 answers
122 views

Is there an error in W. Buchholz's paper "A simplified version of local predicativity"?

I want to self-learn proof theory. It seems that the operator controlled derivation method is important in this field, and the paper in the title is the first paper that uses this method. So I'm ...
5 votes
1 answer
360 views

A possible flaw in Theorem 14.17 in Kurt Schütte's -Proof Theory-

Reading Chapter V, pages (73-97) in Proof Theory (Springer, 1977), by Kurt Schütte, I have encountered a peculiar problem which puzzles me. On page 96, a map $\rm{Nr}:\overline{\rm{OT}}\rightarrow \...
6 votes
1 answer
292 views

Does $\text{ACA}_0$ + True Arithmetic prove the well-foundedness of every recursive ordinal?

As discussed in Noah Schweber's answer to What is the proof-theoretic ordinal of true arithmetic?, it is somewhat ambiguous what “the proof-theoretic ordinal of True Arithmetic” might mean. In one ...
14 votes
1 answer
1k views

Peano arithmetic vs. fast-growing hierarchy with pathological fundamental sequences

Fundamental sequence for a countable limit ordinal $\alpha$ is an increasing sequence $\{\alpha[i]\}$ of ordinals of length $\omega$ such that $\lim_{i\rightarrow\omega}\alpha[i]=\alpha$. There are ...
10 votes
1 answer
735 views

Arithmetic strength of Peano + the Howard ordinal

Consider the theory $\mathrm{PA}+\mathrm{BHO}$ consisting of first-order Peano arithmetic ($\mathrm{PA}$) enriched by an axiom scheme which allows well-founded induction up to any ordinal less than [a ...
15 votes
1 answer
605 views

Nontrivial upper bounds on proof-theoretic ordinals of strong theories: do we have any?

Motivated by Consistency of Analysis (second order arithmetic) and Proof-Theoretic Ordinal of ZFC or Consistent ZFC Extensions?, I have the following question: Are there any examples of strong ...
10 votes
1 answer
358 views

$Π^0_1$ Proof Ordinals

Natural theories extending EFA (exponential/elementary function arithmetic) are well-ordered by $Π^0_1$ provability, and we would like a formal definition of the well-ordering that is robust yet as ...
16 votes
1 answer
2k views

Proof theoretic ordinal

In Ordinal Analysis, Proof-theoretic Ordinal of a theory is thought as measure of a consistency strength and computational power. Is it always the case? I. e. are there some general results about ...
6 votes
1 answer
474 views

Existence of well-ordering of epsilon_0 in weak theories

In a discussion on a youtube video on the hydra game I jokingly mentioned how everyone was assuming that $\varepsilon_0$ was well-ordered. This lead to a bit of disagreement (in a nice way!) about the ...
6 votes
1 answer
365 views

How to build large recursive ordinals using Dillator and/or Ptykes?

I've only recently learned about Girard's theory of Dilators and Ptykes, and I find this theory very elegant, but it is not clear at all to me whether/how it can be used to produce ordinal notations ...
11 votes
2 answers
1k views

Why is there a need for ordinal analysis?

Consider the Peano axioms. There exists a model for them (namely, the natural numbers with a ordering relation $<$, binary function $+$, and constant term $0$). Therefore, by the model existence ...
1 vote
0 answers
123 views

Is $\sf \Gamma_0$ the proof theoretic ordinal of this kind of predicative class theory?

Adopting the approach of Mono-sorted $\sf NBG$, define sets as elements of classes, then axiomatize: Extensionality, Predicative Class comprehension, emptyset, in the usual manner along mono-sorted $\...
1 vote
0 answers
127 views

What is the proof theoretic ordinal of this kind of predicative type-set theory?

The following is a kind of Predicative Type Set Theory. The question is about what is exactly the proof theoretic ordinal of this theory? Is it lower than the one expected for predicative theories, i....
5 votes
0 answers
115 views

What's the purpose of $\mathsf M\text-\mathsf P$-expressions?

In ordinal notations such as Stegert's (Ordinal Proof Theory of Kripke–Platek Set Theory Augmented by Strong Reflection Principles) and Rathjen's (An Ordinal Analysis of parameter free $\Pi_2^1$-...
8 votes
1 answer
574 views

Iterated Gentzen: or, a Sith objection to the proof of consistency of PA

$\DeclareMathOperator\PRA{PRA}\DeclareMathOperator\WF{WF}\DeclareMathOperator\Con{Con}\DeclareMathOperator\PA{PA}$Preamble: In the year … in a galaxy far far away, a nasty Sith named Darth Dubious (...
2 votes
1 answer
542 views

What is the proof-theoretic ordinal of KPh?

If we work in this notation: $$C_0 (\alpha, \beta) = \beta \cup \lbrace 0 \rbrace$$ $$C_{n+1} (\alpha, \beta) = \lbrace \gamma + \delta, \omega^\gamma, \Omega_{\gamma}, I_{\gamma}, \psi_\pi(\eta) | \...
0 votes
0 answers
157 views

How to define BHO alternatives below admissible ordinals?

Bachmann-Howard ordinal is a recursive ordinal. It's not that large compared to those proof-theoretic ordinals of stronger theories, but the definition of BHO is sufficient to illustrate how ...
1 vote
1 answer
251 views

Does this restriction on powersets in ZF have a proof theoretic ordinal?

If we add to the language of set theory a total one place function symbol $\mathcal P$ standing for powerset operator, and then add to ZF-Power the following axioms: Power: if $\phi$ is a formula in ...
6 votes
0 answers
183 views

Ordinal strength of iterated truth theories

Consider the theory ${\rm PA}^{\mathbb{T}}$ obtained by adding a truth predicate to Peano arithmetic, applicable to sentences of the unaugmented language and satisfying the compositionality axioms $\...
39 votes
3 answers
3k views

Why do stacked quantifiers in PA correspond to ordinals up to $\epsilon_0$?

I am trying to understand why induction up to exactly $\epsilon_0$ is necessary to prove the cut-elimination theorem for first-order Peano Arithmetic; or, as I understand, equivalently, why the length ...
13 votes
1 answer
436 views

What is the proof-theoretic ordinal of bare $\mathsf{NFU}$?

On the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy article on alternative axiomatic set theories, it is stated without reference that bare $\mathsf{NFU}$ (i.e., $\mathsf{NFU}$ without the axiom of infinity) ...
5 votes
0 answers
262 views

Higher order arithmetic, hierarchies and proof theoretic ordinals

I asked this question on MSE some days ago but I have not received any answer so I have decided to post it here. I would like to consider a generalization of the notation $\Pi$ and $\Sigma$ used for ...
5 votes
0 answers
265 views

$Π_2$ strength of KP

I am looking for a characterization of the $Π_2$ statements provable in KP. Here, KP (often denoted KPω) is the Kripke-Platek set theory, including infinity and full induction on ordinals. Here is ...
9 votes
1 answer
643 views

Gentzen's result on PA

The Wikipedia states that Gentzen proved that "in modern terms, the proof-theoretic ordinal of PA is $\varepsilon_0$." Further down, the article defines what the "proof theoretic ordinal" of a theory ...
10 votes
1 answer
258 views

Is there a relation between type (maximum linearization) of a computable WQO and the ordinal strength of a theory needed to prove it?

Background: Given a well partial order $X$ (more commonly studied with antisymmetry dropped as well-quasi-orders, but I'm going to say well partial order to make this definition simpler, obviously ...
6 votes
0 answers
421 views

What is proof-theoretic ordinal of weak first-order arithmetic?

According to Wikipedia(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordinal_analysis) and nlab(https://ncatlab.org/nlab/show/ordinal+analysis), a proof-theoretic ordinal of $\mathsf{PRA}$ is $\omega^\omega$. ...
0 votes
3 answers
1k views

Regarding Gentzen's note regarding 'Godel-points' (i.e., "Where is the Godel-point hiding?")

Consider the following note written by Gerhard Gentzen in early 1932, on the onset of his work on a consistency proof for arithmetic: The axioms of arithmetic are obviously correct, and the ...
8 votes
0 answers
287 views

Natural examples of recursive pseudowellorderings

Question: What are some natural examples of recursive pseudowellorderings? By natural, I mean in the style of reasonable ordinal notation systems as opposed to dependent on a Gödel numbering or an ...
1 vote
1 answer
466 views

What does "can almost be proven in PA" mean regarding Theorem 2 of Timothy Chow's expository article, "The Consistency of Arithmetic"?

In his expository article, "The Consistency of Arithmetic" (MSN), Prof. Chow has the following theorems: Theorem 1. If $a_1, a_2, a_3,\dotsc$ is a sequence of ordinals and $a_i \ge a_j$ whenever $...
11 votes
1 answer
500 views

What system suffices to show the strength of PRA is $\omega^\omega$?

Russell O'Connor wrote in 2009 (link): PRA has consistency strength equivalent to the well-foundness of $\omega^\omega$, which can be stated again as the termination of some other program on all ...
3 votes
0 answers
144 views

Partial well-ordering of formulas

Given a theory $T$, for arbitrary formulas $φ$ and $ψ$ that provably in $T$ denote an ordinal, set $[φ]_T < [ψ]_T$ iff provably in $T$, the ordinal denoted by $φ$ is less than the ordinal denoted ...
4 votes
0 answers
367 views

Ordinal analysis and nonrecursive ordinals

Ordinal analysis is typically described as characterizing recursive ordinals in a theory $T$, but there is a sense in which it can characterize all $T$-ordinals, even those that are nonrecursive. ...
4 votes
1 answer
887 views

Going beyond the strength of Peano arithmetic "without sets"

First-order arithmetic is fairly weak, as measured for example by its consistency strength. When a stronger theory is desired, it is common to work with (fragments of) second-order arithmetic or set ...
8 votes
1 answer
295 views

Correspondence between proof-theoretic ordinals and fast growing functions?

For theories with well known proof-theoretic-ordinals, (what) is there a correspondence between their proof-theoretic-ordinal and (ordinal indexed families of?) fast growing functions provable total ...
5 votes
1 answer
720 views

Can the Burgess-Hazen analysis of Predicative Arithmetic be extended to Transfinite Types?

Around page 300 of his book "Mathematical Thought and its Objects", Charles Parsons discusses the work of Edward Nelson, who believes that mathematical induction is impredicative, because it can be ...
14 votes
2 answers
1k views

How can any theory prove well-foundedness of ordinals above $\omega_1^{\text{CK}}$?

$\newcommand{\omegaoneck}{\omega_1^{\text{CK}}}$ Pardon the extremely basic question - this isn't quite my area - but I'm confused about the definition of proof theoretic ordinals. The proof ...
5 votes
1 answer
411 views

A question about ordinal analysis

I have several questions related to ordinal analysis. According to [1], here are the proof-theoretic ordinal of some well-known theories (using $|T|$ do denotate the proof-theoretic ordinal of $T$): ...
9 votes
1 answer
1k views

ERA, PRA, PA, transfinite induction and equivalences

I'm quite sure I don't understand very well the links between proof theoretical ordinals of theories, the axioms of transfinite induction and the objects a theory can prove to exist. For instance I'm ...
8 votes
4 answers
1k views

Formalizations of The Matchstick Diagram Representation of Ordinals

The matchstick diagram is a really interesting and intuitive method of representing countable ordinals. However, because of how difficult it is to graphically represent ordinals with it, I started ...
10 votes
1 answer
373 views

Complexity of induction formulas in proof theoretic ordinals

According to The Art of Ordinal Analysis, the proof theoretic ordinal of a theory $T$ is the least ordinal $\alpha$ such that: $${\bf ERA}+TI(\alpha,ECP)\vdash Con(T)$$ In above definition, $ECP$ ...
40 votes
2 answers
4k views

Is there a computable ordinal encoding the proof strength of ZF? Is it knowable?

In comments on Quora (see, for example, here, here, here), Ron Maimon has repeatedly expressed the strong opinion that Hilbert's program was not killed by Gödel's results in the way typically ...
5 votes
1 answer
409 views

What countable ordinals are called $\kappa_\alpha$?

Jervell has a notation for countable ordinals up to the small Veblen ordinal using trees: • Herman Ruge Jervell, How to wellorder finite trees and get good ordinal notations, Berkeley Logic ...
8 votes
1 answer
706 views

Which ordinals are proof-theoretic ordinals?

Few months ago I have posted this question on MO, but I must admit that at the time, admittedly, I had no idea on how technical proof-theoretic considerations can be. I have decided to revise this ...