Models Logics And Higher Dimensional Categories

Proceedings of a conference held at Centre de recherches mathematiques of the Universite de Montreal, June 18-20, 2009.

This book deals with the main themes in Mihaly Makkai's research career: traditional model theory, categorical model theory and logics, and higher-dimensional category theory. Included are both research papers and survey papers, giving useful material for experts and students in these fields. Particularly valuable are papers that show how the techniques and understanding in one field can be productively applied to another; examples are the paper by Harnik, which explains how Shelah's $T^{eq}$ construction (in model theory) is the same as the categorical notion of pretopos completion; the paper by Kamensky, which gives category-theoretic treatments of sophisticated notions from stability theory; and the paper by Prest relating categorical logic and the model theory of modules. These and other papers in this volume should make this a valuable resource for any mathematician interested in classical or categorical model theory or higher dimensional category theory.

This book deals with the main themes in Mihály Makkai's research career: traditional model theory, categorical model theory and logics, and higher-dimensional category theory. Included are both research papers and survey papers, giving useful material for experts and students in these fields. Particularly valuable are papers that show how the techniques and understanding in one field can be productively applied to another; examples are the paper by Harnik, which explains how Shelah's T^{eq} construction (in model theory) is the same as the categorical notion of pretopos completion; the paper b.

This is the first book on category theory for a broad philosophical readership. There is no other discussion of category theory comparable in its scope. It is designed to show the interest and significant of category theory for philosophers working in a range of areas, including mathematics, proof theory, computer science, ontology, physics, biology, cognition, mathematical modelling, the structure of scientific theories, and the structure of the world. Moreover, it does this in a way that is accessible to non specialists. Each chapter is written by either a category-theorist or a philosopher working in one of the represented fields, in a way that builds on the concepts already familiar to philosophers working in these areas. The book is split into two halves. The 'pure' chapters focus on the use of category theory for mathematical, foundational, and logical purposes, while the 'applied' chapters consider the use of category theory for representational purposes, investigating category theory as a framework for theories of physics and biology, for mathematical modelling more generally, and for the structure of scientific theories. Book jacket.

A coherent introduction to current trends in model theory Contains articles by some of the most influential logicians of the last hundred years. No other publication brings these distinguished authors together Suitable as a reference for advanced undergraduate, postgraduates, and researchers Material presented in the book (e.g, abstract elementary classes, first-order logics with dependent sorts, and applications of infinitary logics in set theory) is not easily accessible in the current literature The various chapters in the book can be studied independently.

Reconsiders the role of formal logic in the analytic approach to philosophy, using cutting-edge mathematical techniques to elucidate twentieth-century debates.

Recounts the modern transformation of model theory and its effects on the philosophy of mathematics and mathematical practice.