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Single Idea 13519

[filed under theme 5. Theory of Logic / J. Model Theory in Logic / 1. Logical Models ]

Full Idea

Model theory uses set theory to show that the theorem-proving power of the usual methods of deduction in mathematics corresponds perfectly to what must be true in actual mathematical structures.

Gist of Idea

Model theory uses sets to show that mathematical deduction fits mathematical truth

Source

Robert S. Wolf (A Tour through Mathematical Logic [2005], Pref)

Book Ref

Wolf,Robert S.: 'A Tour Through Mathematical Logic' [Carus Maths Monographs 2005], p.-8


A Reaction

That more or less says that model theory demonstrates the 'soundness' of mathematics (though normal arithmetic is famously not 'complete'). Of course, he says they 'correspond' to the truths, rather than entailing them.


The 19 ideas from Robert S. Wolf

Model theory uses sets to show that mathematical deduction fits mathematical truth [Wolf,RS]
Modern mathematics has unified all of its objects within set theory [Wolf,RS]
A 'tautology' must include connectives [Wolf,RS]
Deduction Theorem: T∪{P}|-Q, then T|-(P→Q), which justifies Conditional Proof [Wolf,RS]
Universal Generalization: If we prove P(x) with no special assumptions, we can conclude ∀xP(x) [Wolf,RS]
Universal Specification: ∀xP(x) implies P(t). True for all? Then true for an instance [Wolf,RS]
Existential Generalization (or 'proof by example'): if we can say P(t), then we can say something is P [Wolf,RS]
Most deductive logic (unlike ordinary reasoning) is 'monotonic' - we don't retract after new givens [Wolf,RS]
Comprehension Axiom: if a collection is clearly specified, it is a set [Wolf,RS]
Empty Set: ∃x∀y ¬(y∈x). The unique empty set exists [Wolf,RS]
An ordinal is an equivalence class of well-orderings, or a transitive set whose members are transitive [Wolf,RS]
Model theory reveals the structures of mathematics [Wolf,RS]
Model theory 'structures' have a 'universe', some 'relations', some 'functions', and some 'constants' [Wolf,RS]
In first-order logic syntactic and semantic consequence (|- and |=) nicely coincide [Wolf,RS]
First-order logic is weakly complete (valid sentences are provable); we can't prove every sentence or its negation [Wolf,RS]
First-order model theory rests on completeness, compactness, and the Löwenheim-Skolem-Tarski theorem [Wolf,RS]
An 'isomorphism' is a bijection that preserves all structural components [Wolf,RS]
If a theory is complete, only a more powerful language can strengthen it [Wolf,RS]
The LST Theorem is a serious limitation of first-order logic [Wolf,RS]