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Joel David Hamkins

Publications and source records attributed to Joel David Hamkins.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
arXiv2011

The set-theoretic multiverse

The multiverse view in set theory, introduced and argued for in this article, is the view that there are many distinct concepts of set, each instantiated in a corresponding set-theoretic universe. The universe view, in contrast, asserts that there is an absolute background set concept, with a corresponding absolute set-theoretic universe in which every set-theoretic question has a definite answer. The multiverse position, I argue, explains our experience with the enormous diversity of set-theoretic possibilities, a phenomenon that challenges the universe view. In particular, I argue that the continuum hypothesis is settled on the multiverse view by our extensive knowledge about how it behaves in the multiverse, and as a result it can no longer be settled in the manner formerly hoped for.

math.LO↗
arXiv2011

The Rigid Relation Principle, a New Weak Choice Principle

The rigid relation principle, introduced in this article, asserts that every set admits a rigid binary relation. This follows from the axiom of choice, because well-orders are rigid, but we prove that it is neither equivalent to the axiom of choice nor provable in Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory without the axiom of choice. Thus, it is a new weak choice principle. Nevertheless, the restriction of the principle to sets of reals (among other general instances) is provable without the axiom of choice.

math.LO↗
arXiv2011

Infinite time Turing machines and an application to the hierarchy of equivalence relations on the reals

We describe the basic theory of infinite time Turing machines and some recent developments, including the infinite time degree theory, infinite time complexity theory, and infinite time computable model theory. We focus particularly on the application of infinite time Turing machines to the analysis of the hierarchy of equivalence relations on the reals, in analogy with the theory arising from Borel reducibility. We define a notion of infinite time reducibility, which lifts much of the Borel theory into the class $\bmΔ^1_2$ in a satisfying way.

math.LO↗
arXiv2009

Infinite time decidable equivalence relation theory

We introduce an analog of the theory of Borel equivalence relations in which we study equivalence relations that are decidable by an infinite time Turing machine. The Borel reductions are replaced by the more general class of infinite time computable functions. Many basic aspects of the classical theory remain intact, with the added bonus that it becomes sensible to study some special equivalence relations whose complexity is beyond Borel or even analytic. We also introduce an infinite time generalization of the countable Borel equivalence relations, a key subclass of the Borel equivalence relations, and again show that several key properties carry over to the larger class. Lastly, we collect together several results from the literature regarding Borel reducibility which apply also to absolutely Delta_1^2 reductions, and hence to the infinite time computable reductions.

math.LO↗
arXiv2007

Changing the Heights of Automorphism Towers by Forcing with Souslin Trees over L

We prove that there are groups in the constructible universe whose automorphism towers are highly malleable by forcing. This is a consequence of the fact that, under a suitable diamond hypothesis, there are sufficiently many highly rigid non-isomorphic Souslin trees whose isomorphism relation can be precisely controlled by forcing.

math.LO↗
arXiv2006

Large cardinals with few measures

We show, assuming the consistency of one measurable cardinal, that it is consistent for there to be exactly kappa+ many normal measures on the least measurable cardinal kappa. This answers a question of Stewart Baldwin. The methods generalize to higher cardinals, showing that the number of lambda strong compactness or lambda supercompactness measures on P_kappa(lambda) can be exactly lambda+, if lambda>kappa is a regular cardinal. We conclude with a list of open questions. Our proofs use a critical observation due to James Cummings.

math.LO↗
arXiv2006

Degrees of rigidity for Souslin trees

We investigate various strong notions of rigidity for Souslin trees, separating them under Diamond into a hierarchy. Applying our methods to the automorphism tower problem in group theory, we show under Diamond that there is a group whose automorphism tower is highly malleable by forcing.

math.LO↗
arXiv2006

Infinite time computable model theory

We introduce infinite time computable model theory, the computable model theory arising with infinite time Turing machines, which provide infinitary notions of computability for structures built on the reals R. Much of the finite time theory generalizes to the infinite time context, but several fundamental questions, including the infinite time computable analogue of the Completeness Theorem, turn out to be independent of ZFC.

math.LO↗
arXiv2005

The modal logic of forcing

What are the most general principles in set theory relating forceability and truth? As with Solovay's celebrated analysis of provability, both this question and its answer are naturally formulated with modal logic. We aim to do for forceability what Solovay did for provability. A set theoretical assertion psi is forceable or possible, if psi holds in some forcing extension, and necessary, if psi holds in all forcing extensions. In this forcing interpretation of modal logic, we establish that if ZFC is consistent, then the ZFC-provable principles of forcing are exactly those in the modal theory known as S4.2.

math.LO↗
arXiv2005

The halting problem is decidable on a set of asymptotic probability one

The halting problem for Turing machines is decidable on a set of asymptotic probability one. Specifically, there is a set B of Turing machine programs such that (i) B has asymptotic probability one, so that as the number of states n increases, the proportion of all n-state programs that are in B goes to one; (ii) B is polynomial time decidable; and (iii) the halting problem H intersect B is polynomial time decidable. The proof is sensitive to the particular computational model.

math.LO↗
arXiv2004

Diamond (on the regulars) can fail at any strongly unfoldable cardinal

If kappa is any strongly unfoldable cardinal, then this is preserved in a forcing extension in which Diamond_kappa(REG) fails. This result continues the progression of the corresponding results for weakly compact cardinals, due to Woodin, and for indescribable cardinals, due to Hauser.

math.LO↗
arXiv2004

Extensions with the approximation and cover properties have no new large cardinals

If an extension Vbar of V satisfies the delta approximation and cover properties for classes and V is a class in Vbar, then every suitably closed embedding j:Vbar to Nbar in Vbar with critical point above delta restricts to an embedding j|V:V to N amenable to the ground model V. In such extensions, therefore, there are no new large cardinals above delta. This result extends work in math.LO/9808011.

math.LO↗
arXiv2003

P is not equal to NP intersect coNP for Infinite Time Turing Machines

Extending results of Schindler [math.LO/0106087] and Hamkins and Welch [math.LO/0212046], we establish in the context of infinite time Turing machines that P is properly contained in NP intersect coNP. Furthermore, NP intersect coNP is exactly the class of hyperarithmetic sets. For the more general classes, we establish that P+ = (NP+ intersect coNP+) = (NP intersect coNP), though P++ is properly contained in NP++ intersect coNP++. Within any contiguous block of infinite clockable ordinals, we show that P_alpha is not equal to NP_alpha intersect coNP_alpha, but if beta begins a gap in the clockable ordinals, then P_beta = NP_beta intersect coNP_beta. Finally, we establish that P^f is not equal to NP^f intersect coNP^f for most functions f from the reals to the ordinals, although we provide examples where P^f = NP^f intersect coNP^f and P^f is not equal to NP^f.

math.LO↗
arXiv2003

Exactly controlling the non-supercompact strongly compact cardinals

We summarize the known methods of producing a non-supercompact strongly compact cardinal and describe some new variants. Our Main Theorem shows how to apply these methods to many cardinals simultaneously and exactly control which cardinals are supercompact and which are only strongly compact in a forcing extension. Depending upon the method, the surviving non-supercompact strongly compact cardinals can be strong cardinals, have trivial Mitchell rank or even contain a club disjoint from the set of measurable cardinals. These results improve and unify previous results of the first author.

math.LO↗
arXiv2002

P^f is not equal to NP^f for almost all f

We discuss the question of Ralf-Dieter Schindler whether for infinite time Turing machines P^f = NP^f can be true for any function f from the reals into omega_1. We show that ``almost everywhere'' the answer is negative.

math.LO↗
arXiv2002

Infinite Time Turing Machines: Supertask Computation

Infinite time Turing machines extend the operation of ordinary Turing machines into transfinite ordinal time. By doing so, they provide a natural model of infinitary computability, a theoretical setting for the analysis of the power and limitations of supertask algorithms.

math.LO↗