It is known from work of P. Young that there are recursively enumerable sets which have optimal orders for enumeration, and also that there are sets which fail to have such orders in a strong sense. It is shown that both these properties are widespread in the class of recursively enumerable sets. In fact, any infinite recursively enumerable set can be split into two sets each of which has the property under consideration. A corollary to this result is that there are recursive sets with no optimal order of enumeration.

Relativization—the principle that says one can carry over proofs and theorems about partial recursive functions and Turing degrees to functions partial recursive in any given set A and the Turing degrees of sets in which A is recursive—is a pervasive phenomenon in recursion theory. It led H. Rogers, Jr. [15] to ask if, for every degree d, (≥ d), the partial ordering of Turing degrees above d, is isomorphic to all the degrees . We showed in Shore [17] that this homogeneity conjecture is false. More specifically we proved that if, for some n, the degree of Kleene's (the complete set) is recursive in d(n) then ≇ (≤ d). The key ingredient of the proof was a new version of a result from Nerode and Shore [13] (hereafter NS I) that any isomorphism φ: → (≥ d) must be the identity on some cone, i.e., there is an a called the base of the cone such that b ≥ a ⇒ φ(b) = b. This result was combined with information about minimal covers from Jockusch and Soare [8] and Harrington and Kechris [3] to derive a contradiction from the existence of such an isomorphism if deg() ≤ d(n).

In [4] Gordon Plotkin considers the problem of characterizing the λ-definable functionals in full type structures. A plausible, but, as we shall see, quite false, conjecture is that a functional is λ-definable ⇔ it is invariant in the sense of Fraenkel and Mostowski. A better guess might be that the set of λ-definable functionals of type σ has a uniform (in σ) definition in type theory over all full type structures (Plotkin explicitly considers a certain sort of definition by means of “logical relations”). More or less generally, one may ask if the following question is decidable.

Given: a functional F in a full type structure over a finite ground domain.

Question: is Fλ-definable?

We call the statement that this question is decidable Plotkin's λ-definability conjecture. We do not know if Plotkin's conjecture is true.

In this note we consider several questions which quickly arise from Plotkin's conjecture. In §1, we ask which type structures satisfy λ-definability = invariance. We construct for each consistent set of equations a model satisfying this equality. From consideration of these models we obtain a number of syntactic corollaries including a reduction of βη-conversion to βη-conversion at a single type (Theorem 3), an “ω-rule” for βη-conversion (Proposition 6) and consistency with βη-conversion (Proposition 8), definability and indefinability results for versions of Kronecker's δ (Propositions 10 and 11), and a decidability result for the problem of inter-definability among combinators.

Let ε stand for the set of nonnegative integers (numbers), V for the class of all subcollections of ε(sets), Λ for the set of isols, ΛR for the set of regressive isols, and for the set of mappings from a subset of ε into ε (functions). If ƒ is a function we write δƒ and ρƒ for its domain and range, respectively. We denote the inclusion relation by ⊃ and proper inclusion by ⊊. The sets α and β are recursively equivalent [written: α ≃ β], if δƒ = α and ρƒ = β for some function ƒ with a one-to-one partial recursive extension. We denote the recursive equivalence type of a set α, {σ ∈ V ∣ σ ≃ α} by Req(α). The reader is assumed to be familiar with the contents of [1], [2], [3], and [6].

The concept of an ω-group was introduced in [6], and that of an ω-homomorphism in [1]. However, except for a few examples, very little is known about the structure of ω-groups. If G is an ω-group and Π is an ω-homomorphism, then it follows that K = Ker Π and H = Π(G) are ω-groups. The question arises that if we know the structure of K and H, then what can we say about the structure of G? In this paper we will begin the study of ω-extensions, which will give us a partial answer to this question.

The class of stable posets is defined and investigated. We give a forcing construction of a universe of set theory which satisfies a weak form of Martin's Axiom and 2ℵ0 > ℵ1 and yet some propositions which follow from CH hold in this universe.

It is shown (in ZF) that every hereditarily countable set has rank less than ω2, and that if ℵ1 is singular then there are hereditarily countable sets of all ranks less than ω2.

A set of gödel numbers is invariant if it is closed under automorphisms of (ω, ·), where ω is the set of all gödel numbers of partial recursive functions and · is application (i.e., n · m ≃ φn(m)). The invariant arithmetic sets are investigated, and the invariant recursively enumerable sets and partial recursive functions are partially characterized.

A semantics for the lambda-calculus due to Friedman is used to describe a large and natural class of categorical recursion-theoretic notions. It is shown that if e1 and e2 are gödel numbers for partial recursive functions in two standard ω-URS's which both act like the same closed lambda-term, then there is an isomorphism of the two ω-URS's which carries e1 to e2.

Supercompactness is usually defined in terms of the existence of certain ultrafilters. By the well-known procedure of taking ultrapowers of V (the universe of sets) and transitive collapses, one obtains transitive inner models of V and corresponding elementary embeddings from V into these inner models. These embeddings have been studied extensively (see, e.g. [3] or [4]). We investigate the action of these embeddings on cardinals. In particular, we establish a characterization, based upon cofinality, of which cardinals are fixed by these embeddings.

Supercompact cardinals are usually defined in terms of the existence of certain normal ultrafilters. It is well known that there is a natural partial ordering on the collection of all normal ultrafilters associated with a super-compact cardinal, that of normal ultrafilter restriction. Using this notion, we define a tree structure T on the collection of normal ultrafilters associated with a fixed supercompact cardinal. Many results already appearing in the literature can be conveniently phrased in terms of structural properties of T (see, e.g. [4] or [6]). In this paper, we establish additional structural facts concerning T.

In §1 we standardize our notation and review some of the basic facts and methods that will be used throughout. §2 begins with a presentation of an important technique, due to Solovay, which will be an important tool for us. Also in §2, we begin a detailed study of the structure of T in terms of branching and the existence of many successors to branches at limit levels. §3 contains results proving the existence of many nodes of T which do not have successors above certain levels of T. This complements work of Magidor [6] who established the existence of many nodes which have successors at all higher levels of T.

A Krom formula of pure quantification theory is a formula in conjunctive normal form such that each conjunct is a disjunction of at most two atomic formulas or negations of atomic formulas. Every class of Krom formulas that is determined by the form of their quantifier prefixes and which is known to have an unsolvable decision problem for satisfiability is here shown to be a conservative reduction class. Therefore both the general satisfiability problem, and the problem of satisfiability in finite models, can be effectively reduced from arbitrary formulas to Krom formulas of these several prefix types.

NFP is the predicative fragment of NF. In this system we do not allow a set to exist if it cannot be defined without using quantifiers ranging over its type or parameters of a higher type. NFI is a less restrictive fragment located between NFP and NF.

We show that NFP is really weaker than NFI; similarly, NFI is weaker than NF. This result will be obtained in the following manner: on the one hand, we will show that NFP can be proved consistent in elementary arithmetic and that second order arithmetic is interpretable in NFI; on the other hand, we will prove the consistency of NFI in third order arithmetic, which is contained in NF.

The paper is divided in four sections. In §1, we define the concepts needed and collect a few results together in such a way that they will be ready for later use. In §2, we will present a model-theoretic (quick) proof of the consistency of NFI (and thus of NFP). The proof will be chosen (it is not the quickest!) so as to motivate in a natural manner the details of the proof-theoretical version of it that will be presented in §3. §4 will be devoted to the axiom of infinity in NFP and NFI.

Qκλ. Pκλ the space of all < κ-sized subsets of λ, has provided numerous opportunities for the gainful employment of set theorists in recent years, thanks to its combinatorial richness and to its relationships with various large cardinals. In the spirit of Pκλ we offer the following definition:

For κ ≤ λ both cardinals, Qκλ is the set of all partitions of λ into < κ-many pieces (an element of q ∈ Qκλ is called a piece of q). Equivalently

An element of Pκλ may be viewed as an injection from a < κ-sized set into λ, with some information thrown away. An element of Qκλ is a surjection from λ onto a < κ-sized set, with analogous loss of information.

For p, q ∈ Qκλ, we say p ≤ q iff q is a refinement of p (every piece of q is contained in a piece of p).

We take a fixed countable model M0, and we look at the structure of and number of its countable elementary extensions (up to isomorphism over M0). Assuming that S(M0) is countable, we prove that if N is a weakly minimal extension of , and if then there is an elementary embedding of N into M over M0), then N is homogeneous over M0. Moreover the condition that ∣S(M0)∣ = ℵ0 cannot be removed. Under the hypothesis that M0 contains no infinite set of tuples ordered by a formula, we prove that M0 has infinitely many countable elementary extensions up to isomorphism over M0. A preliminary result is that all types over M0 are definable, and moreover is definable over M0 if and only if is definable over M0 (forking symmetry). We also introduce a notion of relative homogeneity, and show that a large class of elementary extensions of M0 are relatively homogeneous over M0 (under the assumptions that M0 has no order and S(M0) is countable).

I will now discuss the background to and motivation behind the results in this paper, and also the place of this paper relative to other conjectures and investigations. To simplify notation let T denote the complete diagram of M0. First, our result that if M0 has no order then T has infinitely many countable models is related to the following conjecture: any theory with a finite number (more than one) of countable models is unstable.

There are two main axiomatic extensions of Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory without the axiom of choice, that associated with the axiom of determinateness, and that associated with infinite exponent partition relations. Initially, the axiom of determinateness, henceforth AD, was the sole tool available. Using it, set theorists in the late 1960s produced many remarkable results in pure set theory (e.g. the measurability of ℵ1) as well as in projective set theory (e.g. reduction principles for ). Infinite exponent partition relations were first studied successfully soon after these early consequences of AD. They too produced measurable cardinals and not only were the constructions here easier than those from AD—the results gave a far clearer picture of the measures involved than had been offered by AD. In general, the techniques offered by infinite exponent partition relations became so attractive that a great deal of the subsequent work from AD involved an initial derivation from AD of the appropriate infinite exponent partition relation and then the derivation from the partition relation of the desired result.

Since the early 1970s work on choiceless extensions of ZF + DC has split mainly between AD and its applications to projective set theory, and infinite exponent partition relations and their applications to pure set theory. There has certainly been a fair amount of interplay between the two, but for the most part the theories have been pursued independently.

Unlike AD, infinite exponent partition relations have shown themselves amenable to nontrivial forcing arguments. For example, Spector has constructed models for interesting partition relations, consequences of AD, in which AD is false. Thus AD is a strictly stronger assumption than are various infinite exponent partition relations. Furthermore, Woodin has recently proved the consistency of infinite exponent partition relations relative to assumptions consistent with the axiom of choice, in particular, relative to the existence of a supercompact cardinal. The notion of doing this for AD is not even considered.

The recursion-theoretic study of mathematical structures other than ω is now a field of much activity. Analysis and algebra are two such structures which have been studied for their effective contents. Studies in analysis began with the work of Specker on nonconstructive proofs in analysis [16] and in Lacombe's inspiring notes on relevant notions of recursive analysis [8]. Studies in algebra originated in the work of Frolich and Shepherdson on effective extensions of explicit fields [1] and in Rabin's study of computable fields [15]. Equipped with the richness of modern techniques in recursion theory, Metakides and Nerode [11]–[13] began investigating the effective content of vector spaces and fields; these studies have been extended by Kalantari, Remmel, Retzlaff, Shore and others.

Kalantari and Retzlaff [5] began a foundational inquiry into effectiveness in topological spaces. They consider a topological space X with a countable basis ⊿ for the topology. The space is fully effective, that is, the basis elements are coded into ω and the operation of intersection of basis elements and the relation of inclusion among them are both computable. Similar to , the lattice of recursively enumerable (r.e.) subsets of ω, the collection of r.e. open subsets of X forms a lattice ℒ(X) under the usual operations of union and intersection.

In 1959 M. Dummett [3] introduced the logic LC obtained by adding the axiom ACpqCqp to the formalization of the intuitionistic prepositional calculus having modus ponens and substitution as its rules of inference. Later on R. A. Bull [1] showed, by quite a roundabout way, that the implicational theses of LC were precisely the theses of the implicational calculus obtained by adding the axiom CCCpqrCCCqprr to the system of positive implication. In 1964 Bull [2] gave another proof, this time using results of Birkhoff concerning subdirectly reducible algebras.

The aim of this short note is to emphasize that the use of Gentzen's natural deduction systems (see Prawitz [4]) allows us to give a much more direct proof.

In this note we investigate an extension of Peano arithmetic which arises from adjoining generalized quantifiers to first-order logic. Markwald [2] first studied the definability properties of L1, the language of first-order arithmetic, L, with the additional quantifer Ux which denotes “there are infinitely many x such that…. Note that Ux is the same thing as the Keisler quantifier Qx in the ℵ0 interpretation.

We consider L2, which is L together with the ℵ0 interpretation of the Magidor-Malitz quantifier Q2xy which denotes “there is an infinite set X such that for distinct x, y ∈ X …”. In [1] Magidor and Malitz presented an axiom system for languages which arise from adding Q2 to a first-order language. They proved that the axioms are valid in every regular interpretation, and, assuming ◊ω1, that the axioms are complete in the ℵ1 interpretation.

If we let denote Peano arithmetic in L2 with induction for L2 formulas and the Magidor-Malitz axioms as logical axioms, we show that in we can give a truth definition for first-order Peano arithmetic, . Consequently we can prove in that is Πn sound for every n, thus in we can prove the Paris-Harrington combinatorial principle and the higher-order analogues due to Schlipf.

Let ‘ϕ’, ‘χ’, and ‘ψ’ be variables ranging over functions from the sentence letters P0, P1, … Pn, … of (propositional) modal logic to sentences of P(eano) Arithmetic), and for each sentence A of modal logic, inductively define Aϕ by

[and similarly for other nonmodal propositional connectives]; and

where Bew(x) is the standard provability predicate for PA and ⌈F⌉ is the PA numeral for the Gödel number of the formula F of PA. Then for any ϕ, (−□⊥)ϕ = −Bew(⌈⊥⌉), which is the consistency assertion for PA; a sentence S is undecidable in PA iff both and , where ϕ(p0) = S. If ψ(p0) is the undecidable sentence constructed by Gödel, then ⊬PA (−□⊥→ −□p0 & − □ − p0)ψ and ⊢PA(P0 ↔ −□⊥)ψ. However, if ψ(p0) is the undecidable sentence constructed by Rosser, then the situation is the other way around: ⊬PA(P0 ↔ −□⊥)ψ and ⊢PA (−□⊥→ −□−p0 & −□−p0)ψ. We call a sentence S of PA extremely undecidable if for all modal sentences A containing no sentence letter other than p0, if for some ψ, ⊬PAAψ, then ⊬PAAϕ, where ϕ(p0) = S. (So, roughly speaking, a sentence is extremely undecidable if it can be proved to have only those modal-logically characterizable properties that every sentence can be proved to have.) Thus extremely undecidable sentences are undecidable, but neither the Godel nor the Rosser sentence is extremely undecidable. It will follow at once from the main theorem of this paper that there are infinitely many inequivalent extremely undecidable sentences.