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Large cardinals without the ambient set theory?

In an attempt to understand a bit better large cardinals, I have been thinking along the following lines, which could be summarized under the slogan Talk about cardinals without the (ambient) ...
Mirco A. Mannucci's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
344 views

What is the proof of consistency of anterior reflection?

Let Anterior Reflection be the following principle: $$\forall \vec{v}~ \exists X: \operatorname {transitive} (X) \land \, (\varphi \to \varphi^{X"}) $$ where $\varphi$ is a formula in $\sf FOL(=,\in)$ ...
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar
5 votes
0 answers
278 views

Class theory of ZF-minus-Powerset as classical predicative system?

I've been thinking about some mathematics in weaker foundational systems a little bit, largely from a structural viewpoint, and with particular attention to classes. Some categories I've been keeping ...
David Roberts's user avatar
  • 35.5k
4 votes
3 answers
915 views

Compactness of existential second order logic and definability of certain quantifiers

It is known (as a slogan) that the "existential fragment of second-order logic (ESO) is compact". My first question is: (1) Is ESO compact for: (a) uncountable languages (b) languages with ...
mtg's user avatar
  • 135
4 votes
2 answers
452 views

On wild behavior of $\omega_{1}$ in the absence of some essential axioms of $ZFC$

The regularity of $\omega_{1}$ is one of the most well known facts of set theory. But it seems that in order to prove this simple fact we need the "full power" of mathematics! For example by an ...
user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
369 views

Bounded alternatives to powerset that interpret ZFC

In set theory, many properties/relations of interest can be expressed as $\Delta_0$ formulas (formulas with only bounded quantifiers): \begin{align} \text{empty}(a) &\equiv \forall x \in a . \...
user76284's user avatar
  • 2,203
4 votes
0 answers
424 views

What are the requirements of a foundational theory?

There are multiple languages to describe all of mathematics, and there are some equivalences between them, some more successful then others. My question is can we describe some requirements (in some ...
Omer Rosler's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
422 views

Should functions be assumed to behave like the identity function when evaluated outside their domain?

Suppose we have a set $f$ of ordered pairs (so not a triple $(X,Y,f)$ but just the $f$) and suppose that $f$ has the appropriate property such that we can view $f$ as a function. Formally, we wish to ...
user26688's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
96 views

Is this form of replacement suitable for ZF - Powerset + well-ordering principle?

The following scheme can be understood as a form of replacement. Axiomatizing $\sf ZF$ with it instead of the usual replacement schema renders it immune to removal of extensionality; see here. In an ...
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
510 views

Harvey Friedman: The expanding mind

In reference 1, Friedman writes: I discuss my efforts concerning 3 crucial issues in the foundations of mathematics that are deeply connected with the great work of Kurt Gödel. [...] B. Are there ...
user76284's user avatar
  • 2,203
3 votes
2 answers
720 views

Shortest axiom of infinity for foundationless set theory

Let $T$ be the theory with a binary symbol $\in$, an unary symbol $S$, and the following axioms: Axiom of extension: \begin{equation} \forall x \forall y (\forall z (z \in x \leftrightarrow z \in ...
user76284's user avatar
  • 2,203
3 votes
1 answer
256 views

Can these short set-building expressions of the finite set world extend to the infinite set world?

A formula of the form $\forall \vec{p}\, \exists x \, \forall y\, (y \in x \leftrightarrow \phi(y,\vec{p}))$ is to be named a "set-building" formula. Now, when $\vec{p}$ includes a predicate ...
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
283 views

Formal foundations done properly [closed]

I would want to do mathematics properly, so that the proofs of results can be trusted on instead of them being just suggestions on which results could perhaps apply. This means formulating the math in ...
user131903's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
458 views

Set of definable real numbers?

Is there a set theory at least as strong as $KP\omega$ which has as a theorem that there is a set $\mathbb{D}$ of precisely the definable real numbers?
Frode Alfson Bjørdal's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
275 views

comprehension and ideal elements

A not uncommon thought in philosophy is that we should distinguish (in philosophy, anyway) between "sparse" ("real", "serious") and "abundant" ("ideal", "superficial") properties/classes and relations....
Marian's user avatar
  • 313
2 votes
0 answers
220 views

Which is richer Set or Graph Theory?

This theory about structures, defined as abstractions over isomorphic graphs, can interpret Set Theory in a rather creepy manner. Though the theory is largely technical, yet it is not far from being ...
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
159 views

Why not replace reflection by bounded reflection in Muller's approach?

Bounded Reflection: If $\phi$ is a formula in the language of set theory [i.e.; $\small \sf FOL(=,\in)$], in which all and only symbols $``x,x_1,..,x_n"$ occur free, and $\phi^V$ is the formula ...
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
305 views

Does this axiomatic system satisfy requirements for founding mathematics?

In this article, the author, F.A.Muller, suggests criteria for a founding theory of mathematics (pp:14-16). The author proposes $ARC$ Class Theory to embody these requirements. The motivation is ...
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
261 views

Finite level super classes over ZFC

My question is: "Is it possible to have a sound and rigorous legitimation of the following construction ?". This construction is: 0/ Let ZFC be the usuel set theory, and let us add to the language ...
Gérard Lang's user avatar
  • 2,655
1 vote
1 answer
396 views

Complete and consistent first-order theories that contain interesting phenomena

Gödel has shown that a consistent recursively axiomatizable first-order theory that can interpret Robinson arithmetic is incomplete. I think there is some sentimental value in working with a theory ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
535 views

Tarski-Grothendieck set theory, the axiom of pairing and the axiom of specification

I am building upon MO question 102846 concerning the Tarski-Grothendieck set theory (TG). I have two questions; 1/ I think that it is possible that the axiom of pairing (axiom 4 of the TG theory ...
Gérard Lang's user avatar
  • 2,655
1 vote
0 answers
82 views

How strong is separation + reflection without transitivity?

Consider a theory $T$ with a binary relation $\in$ and the following axiom schemas: $\exists u \forall x (x \in u \leftrightarrow x \in a \land \phi)$ where $u$ is not free in $\phi$. This is the ...
user76284's user avatar
  • 2,203
1 vote
0 answers
57 views

What is the consistency strength of this addition on simple type-set theory?

Language: multi-sorted first order logic with equality and membership, where for each natural $n$ there is a set $x^n$ of sort $n$. Equality "$=$" only occurs between variables of the same ...
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar
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 $\...
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar
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....
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
117 views

Can this type theory interpret second order arithmetic?

Language: multi-sorted first order logic with equality and membership, where for each natural $t$ there is a set $x^t$ of sort $t$. Equality "$=$" only occurs between variables of the same ...
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
94 views

Is definability in $V$ in $\sf Ack+MK$ expressible in its language?

Recall Ackermann set theory. If we extend Ackermann's set theory by adding all axioms of $\sf MK$ to it. We shall denote the universe of all elements by $W$, while $V$ is the primitive constant symbol ...
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
192 views

Does foundationless Ackermann set theory prove replacement?

From Ackermann's set theory equals ZF (1970) by William N. Reinhardt: Let A be the theory determined by the following axioms: Extensionality: $\forall z (z \in x \leftrightarrow z \in y) \to x = y$ ...
user76284's user avatar
  • 2,203
1 vote
0 answers
278 views

A countable set theory providing choice?

Instead of Zermelo set theory $Z$ take $Y$ = $Z$ minus the power set axiom plus Enumerability: $\forall x(x\neq \emptyset \to\exists f[f:\mathbb{N}\overset{onto}{\frown}x ])$ $\imath$ is the ...
Frode Alfson Bjørdal's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
257 views

Is there a non-trivial consistency preserving transformation?

In ‎set ‎theory ‎"equiconsistency" (and not "consistency") ‎of ‎the ‎theories ‎is the‎ ‎main ‎part ‎of ‎researches. ‎So ‎we ‎usually ‎try ‎to ‎construct a‎ ‎new model ‎using a‎ ‎given ‎one. ‎In ‎the ‎...
user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
291 views

Weak power set - what strength may it have? [closed]

In The Consistency of Classical Set Theory Relative to a Set Theory with Intuitionistic Logic in THE JOURNAL OF SYMBOLIC LOGIC Volume 38, Number 2, June 1973 page 316 Harvey Friedman's axiom 8* $Weak \...
Frode Alfson Bjørdal's user avatar
-3 votes
3 answers
836 views

Can different extensions of ZF have contradictory consequences for first-order arithmetic?

My question is basically, does there exist a statement X independent of ZF such that ZF + X implies a statement P of first-order arithmetic, but ZF + not X implies not P? Now X cannot be the axiom ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
-3 votes
1 answer
296 views

Can this form of reflection be consistent?

Is this form of reflection consistent? First I'll begin by clarifying the notation I'm using here: By a quantifier being relativized or bounded it means that the first occurrence of the quantified ...
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar
-3 votes
1 answer
262 views

An axiomatic system with a set of constants that form a complete ordered field [closed]

I am developing a ZFC axiomatic system where together with the empty set, there is a singular (and huge) set of constants that are themselves sets and form a complete ordered field (cof) these ...
Carlos Freites's user avatar
-4 votes
1 answer
198 views

Is Bounding Reflection consistent?

Working in the first order language of set theory. Let $\varphi^{*B}$ be the formula obtained from $\varphi$ by merely bounding all open quantifiers in $\varphi$ by the symbol "$B$". Here a ...
Zuhair Al-Johar's user avatar

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