All Questions
11 questions
5
votes
1
answer
597
views
The "first-order theory of the second-order theory of $\mathrm{ZFC}$"
$\newcommand\ZFC{\mathrm{ZFC}}\DeclareMathOperator\Con{Con}$It is often interesting to look at the theory of all first-order statements that are true in some second-order theory, giving us things like ...
3
votes
0
answers
184
views
Can we interpret ZFC in GEM?
I have long held similar views as put forth here. As professor Hamkins points out though, $(M,\subseteq)$ is insufficient to model most of mathematics. However, this is unsatisfactory to me, as this ...
3
votes
0
answers
301
views
What does second order set theory give us that is new?
There is a natural analogy between the theories PA and ZFC. See the linked question by Gro-Tsen here.
Peano arithmetic (PA) is a first order approximation to the natural numbers. As is well known, ...
6
votes
1
answer
937
views
Smallest ordinal modelling $\aleph_1$?
Let $X_1$ be the class of all ordinals $\alpha$ such that there exists a transitive model $M$ of ZF(C) such that $M$ thinks that $\alpha$ is $\aleph_1$.
Every class of ordinals has a minimum element (...
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 ...
39
votes
7
answers
6k
views
Is V, the Universe of Sets, a fixed object?
When I first read Set Theory by Jech, I came under the impression that the Universe of Sets, $V$ was a fixed, well defined object like $\pi$ or the Klein four group. However as I have read on, I am ...
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 ...
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 ...
15
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Where is the end of universe?
In some sense the empty set ($\emptyset$) and the global set of all sets ($G$) are the ends of the universe of mathematical objects. The world which $ZFC$ describes has an end from the bottom and is ...
8
votes
2
answers
863
views
Consistent hierarchy of axiomatic systems
First of all, I am not an expert in model theory. I just want to get my personal view on the foundations of mathematics straight.
I just learned in Sergey Melikhov's answer to another question ...
5
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Concrete models of abstract structures
Most mathematicians seem to be contented with the fact, that abstract structures cannot be directly modelled as such in a set theory without ur-elements. What seems to me the standard stance: Set ...