Introduction To Axiomatic Set Theory

In 1963, the first author introduced a course in set theory at the University of Illinois whose main objectives were to cover Godel's work on the con sistency of the Axiom of Choice (AC) and the Generalized Continuum Hypothesis (GCH), and Cohen's work on the independence of the AC and the GCH. Notes taken in 1963 by the second author were taught by him in 1966, revised extensively, and are presented here as an introduction to axiomatic set theory. Texts in set theory frequently develop the subject rapidly moving from key result to key result and suppressing many details. Advocates of the fast development claim at least two advantages. First, key results are high lighted, and second, the student who wishes to master the subject is com pelled to develop the detail on his own. However, an instructor using a "fast development" text must devote much class time to assisting his students in their efforts to bridge gaps in the text.

Geared toward upper-level undergraduates and graduate students, this treatment examines the basic paradoxes and history of set theory and advanced topics such as relations and functions, equipollence, more. 1960 edition.

This book presents the classic relative consistency proofs in set theory that are obtained by the device of 'inner models'. Three examples of such models are investigated in Chapters VI, VII, and VIII; the most important of these, the class of constructible sets, leads to G6del's result that the axiom of choice and the continuum hypothesis are consistent with the rest of set theory [1]I. The text thus constitutes an introduction to the results of P. Cohen concerning the independence of these axioms [2], and to many other relative consistency proofs obtained later by Cohen's methods. Chapters I and II introduce the axioms of set theory, and develop such parts of the theory as are indispensable for every relative consistency proof; the method of recursive definition on the ordinals being an import ant case in point. Although, more or less deliberately, no proofs have been omitted, the development here will be found to require of the reader a certain facility in naive set theory and in the axiomatic method, such e as should be achieved, for example, in first year graduate work (2 cycle de mathernatiques).

This text deals with three basic techniques for constructing models of Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory: relative constructibility, Cohen's forcing, and Scott-Solovay's method of Boolean valued models. Our main concern will be the development of a unified theory that encompasses these techniques in one comprehensive framework. Consequently we will focus on certain funda mental and intrinsic relations between these methods of model construction. Extensive applications will not be treated here. This text is a continuation of our book, "I ntroduction to Axiomatic Set Theory," Springer-Verlag, 1971; indeed the two texts were originally planned as a single volume. The content of this volume is essentially that of a course taught by the first author at the University of Illinois in the spring of 1969. From the first author's lectures, a first draft was prepared by Klaus Gloede with the assistance of Donald Pelletier and the second author. This draft was then rcvised by the first author assisted by Hisao Tanaka. The introductory material was prepared by the second author who was also responsible for the general style of exposition throughout the text. We have inc1uded in the introductory material al1 the results from Boolean algebra and topology that we need. When notation from our first volume is introduced, it is accompanied with a deflnition, usually in a footnote. Consequently a reader who is familiar with elementary set theory will find this text quite self-contained.

By its nature, set theory does not depend on any previous mathematical knowl edge. Hence, an individual wanting to read this book can best find out if he is ready to do so by trying to read the first ten or twenty pages of Chapter 1. As a textbook, the book can serve for a course at the junior or senior level. If a course covers only some of the chapters, the author hopes that the student will read the rest himself in the next year or two. Set theory has always been a sub ject which people find pleasant to study at least partly by themselves. Chapters 1-7, or perhaps 1-8, present the core of the subject. (Chapter 8 is a short, easy discussion of the axiom of regularity). Even a hurried course should try to cover most of this core (of which more is said below). Chapter 9 presents the logic needed for a fully axiomatic set th~ory and especially for independence or consistency results. Chapter 10 gives von Neumann's proof of the relative consistency of the regularity axiom and three similar related results. Von Neumann's 'inner model' proof is easy to grasp and yet it prepares one for the famous and more difficult work of GOdel and Cohen, which are the main topics of any book or course in set theory at the next level.

Michael Potter presents a comprehensive new philosophical introduction to set theory. Anyone wishing to work on the logical foundations of mathematics must understand set theory, which lies at its heart. Potter offers a thorough account of cardinal and ordinal arithmetic, and the various axiom candidates. He discusses in detail the project of set-theoretic reduction, which aims to interpret the rest of mathematics in terms of set theory. The key question here is how to deal with the paradoxes that bedevil set theory. Potter offers a strikingly simple version of the most widely accepted response to the paradoxes, which classifies sets by means of a hierarchy of levels. What makes the book unique is that it interweaves a careful presentation of the technical material with a penetrating philosophical critique. Potter does not merely expound the theory dogmatically but at every stage discusses in detail the reasons that can be offered for believing it to be true. Set Theory and its Philosophy is a key text for philosophy, mathematical logic, and computer science.