Let K be an abstract elementary class with amalgamation, and Lowenheim Skolem number LS(K). We prove that for a suitable Hanf number chi_0 if chi_0 < lambda_0 <= lambda_1, and K is categorical in lambda^+_1 then it is categorical in lambda_0 .
Motivated by the free products of groups, the direct sums of modules, and Shelah's $(λ,2)$-goodness, we study strong amalgamation properties in Abstract Elementary Classes. Such a notion of amalgamation consists of a selection of certain amalgams for every triple $M_0\leq M_1, M_2$, and we show that if $K$ designates a unique strong amalgam to every triple $M_0\leq M_1, M_2$, then $K$ satisfies categoricity transfer at cardinals $\geqθ(K)+2^{\text{LS}(K)}$, where $θ(K)$ is a cardinal associated with the notion of amalgamation. We also show that if such a unique choice does not exist, then ther…
Let ${\bf K}$ be an $\mathrm{LS}({\bf K})$-short abstract elementary class and assume more than the existence of a monster model (amalgamation over sets and arbitrarily large models). Suppose ${\bf K}$ is categorical in some $μ>\mathrm{LS}({\bf K})$, then it is categorical in all $μ'\geqμ$. Our result removes the successor requirement of $μ$ made by Grossberg-VanDieren, at the cost of using shortness instead of tameness; and of using amalgamation over sets instead of over models. It also removes the primes requirement by Vasey which assumes tameness and amalgamation over models. As a corollary…
The results in this paper are in a context of abstract elementary classes identified by Shelah and Villaveces in which the amalgamation property is not assumed. The long-term goal is to solve Shelah's Categoricity Conjecture in this context. Here we tackle a problem of Shelah and Villaveces by proving that in their context, the uniqueness of limit models follows from categoricity under the assumption that the subclass of amalgamation bases is closed under unions of bounded, increasing chains.
We study multidimensional diagrams in independent amalgamation in the framework of abstract elementary classes (AECs). We use them to prove the eventual categoricity conjecture for AECs, assuming a large cardinal axiom. More precisely, we show assuming the existence of a proper class of strongly compact cardinals that an AEC which has a single model of some high-enough cardinality will have a single model in any high-enough cardinal. Assuming a weak version of the generalized continuum hypothesis, we also establish the eventual categoricity conjecture for AECs with amalgamation.
We investigate, in ZFC, the behavior of abstract elementary classes (AECs) categorical in many successive small cardinals. We prove for example that a universal $\mathbb{L}_{ω_1, ω}$ sentence categorical on an end segment of cardinals below $\beth_ω$ must be categorical also everywhere above $\beth_ω$. This is done without any additional model-theoretic hypotheses (such as amalgamation or arbitrarily large models) and generalizes to the much broader framework of tame AECs with weak amalgamation and coherent sequences.
Let K be an Abstract Elemenetary Class satisfying the amalgamation and the joint embedding property, let μbe the Hanf number of K. Suppose K is tame. MAIN COROLLARY: (ZFC) If K is categorical in a successor cardinal bigger than \beth_{(2^μ)^+} then K is categorical in all cardinals greater than \beth_{(2^μ)^+}. This is an improvment of a Theorem of Makkai and Shelah ([Sh285] who used a strongly compact cardinal for the same conclusion) and Shelah's downward categoricity theorem for AECs with amalgamation (from [Sh394]).
We prove that a universal class categorical in a high-enough cardinal is categorical on a tail of cardinals. As opposed to other results in the literature, we work in ZFC, do not require the categoricity cardinal to be a successor, do not assume amalgamation, and do not use large cardinals. Moreover we give an explicit bound on the "high-enough" threshold: $\mathbf{Theorem}$ Let $ψ$ be a universal $\mathbb{L}_{ω_1, ω}$ sentence. If $ψ$ is categorical in some $λ\ge \beth_{\beth_{ω_1}}$, then $ψ$ is categorical in all $λ' \ge \beth_{\beth_{ω_1}}$. As a byproduct of the proof, we show that a conj…
Let K be an abstract elementary classes which has arbitrarily large models and satisfies the amalgamation and joint embedding properties. Theorem 1. Suppose K is χ-tame. If K is categorical in some λ^+ >LS(K) then it is categorical in all μ\geq (λ+χ)^+. Theorem 2. If K is LS(K)-tame and is categorical both in LS(K) and in LS(K)^+ then K is categorical in all μ\geq LS(K).
The categoricity spectrum of a class of structures is the collection of cardinals in which the class has a single model up to isomorphism. Assuming that cardinal exponentiation is injective (a weakening of the generalized continuum hypothesis, GCH), we give a complete list of the possible categoricity spectrums of an abstract elementary class with amalgamation and arbitrarily large models. Specifically, the categoricity spectrum is either empty, an end segment starting below the Hanf number, or a closed interval consisting of finite successors of the Löwenheim-Skolem-Tarski number (there are e…
We prove: $\mathbf{Theorem}$ Let $K$ be a universal class. If $K$ is categorical in cardinals of arbitrarily high cofinality, then $K$ is categorical on a tail of cardinals. The proof stems from ideas of Adi Jarden and Will Boney, and also relies on a deep result of Shelah. As opposed to previous works, the argument is in ZFC and does not use the assumption of categoricity in a successor cardinal. The argument generalizes to abstract elementary classes (AECs) that satisfy a locality property and where certain prime models exist. Moreover assuming amalgamation we can give an explicit bound on t…
We investigate in ZFC what can be the family of large enough cardinals mu in which an a.e.c. K is categorical or even just solvable. We show that for not few cardinals lambda<mu there is a superlimit model in K_lambda. Moreover, our main result is that we can find a good lambda-frame s categorical in lambda such that K_s subseteq K_lambda. We then show how to use [Sh:705] to get categoricity in every large enough cardinality if K has cases of mu-amalgamation for enough mu and 2^mu<2^{mu^{+1}} <... < 2^{mu^{+n}}... for enough mu.
We deal with stability theory for ``reasonable'' non-elementary classes without any remanents of compactness (like: above Hanf number or definable by L_{omega_1, omega}).
We provide here the first steps toward Classification Theory of Abstract Elementary Classes with no maximal models, plus some mild set theoretical assumptions, when the class is categorical in some lambda greater than its Lowenheim-Skolem number. We study the degree to which amalgamation may be recovered, the behaviour of non mu-splitting types. Most importantly, the existence of saturated models in a strong enough sense is proved, as a first step toward a complete solution to the Los Conjecture for these classes.
We investigate categoricity of abstract elementary classes without any remnants of compactness (like non-definability of well ordering, existence of E.M. models or existence of large cardinals). We prove (assuming a weak version of GCH around lambda) that if K is categorical in lambda, lambda^+, LS(K) <= lambda and 1 <= I(lambda^{++},K)< 2^{lambda^{++}} then K has a model in lambda^{+++} .
Starting from an abstract elementary class with no maximal models, Shelah and Villaveces have shown (assuming instances of diamond) that categoricity implies a superstability-like property for a certain independence relation called nonsplitting. We generalize their result as follows: given an abstract notion of independence for Galois (orbital) types over models, we derive that the notion satisfies a superstability property provided that the class is categorical and satisfies a weakening of amalgamation. This extends the Shelah-Villaveces result (the independence notion there was splitting) as…
We study general methods to build forking-like notions in the framework of tame abstract elementary classes (AECs) with amalgamation. We show that whenever such classes are categorical in a high-enough cardinal, they admit a good frame: a forking-like notion for types of singleton elements. $\mathbf{Theorem}$ (Superstability from categoricity) Let $K$ be a $(<κ)$-tame AEC with amalgamation. If $κ= \beth_κ> \text{LS} (K)$ and $K$ is categorical in a $λ> κ$, then: * $K$ is stable in all cardinals $\ge κ$. * $K$ is categorical in $κ$. * There is a type-full good $λ$-frame with underlying class $K…
A new case of Shelah's eventual categoricity conjecture is established: $\mathbf{Theorem}$ Let $K$ be an AEC with amalgamation. Write $H_2 := \beth_{\left(2^{\beth_{\left(2^{\text{LS} (K)}\right)^+}}\right)^+}$. Assume that $K$ is $H_2$-tame and $K_{\ge H_2}$ has primes over sets of the form $M \cup \{a\}$. If $K$ is categorical in some $λ> H_2$, then $K$ is categorical in all $λ' \ge H_2$. The result had previously been established when the stronger locality assumptions of full tameness and shortness are also required. An application of the method of proof of the theorem is that Shelah's cate…
Let K be an abstract elementary class satisfying the joint embedding and the amalgamation properties. Let m be a cardinal above the the Löwenheim-Skolem number of the class. Suppose K satisfies the disjoint amalgamation property for limit models of cardinality m. If K is m-Galois-stable, has no m-Vaughtian Pairs, does not have long splitting chains, and satisfies locality of splitting, for the precise description of long splitting chains and locality}, then any two (m,sigma_i)-limits over M for (i in {1,2}) are isomorphic over M. This theorem extends results of Shelah, Kolman and Shelah, and S…
$\mathbf{Theorem.}$ Let $K$ be an abstract elementary class (AEC) with amalgamation and no maximal models. Let $λ> \text{LS} (K)$. If $K$ is categorical in $λ$, then the model of cardinality $λ$ is Galois-saturated. This answers a question asked independently by Baldwin and Shelah. We deduce several corollaries: $K$ has a unique limit model in each cardinal below $λ$, (when $λ$ is big-enough) $K$ is weakly tame below $λ$, and the thresholds of several existing categoricity transfers can be improved. We also prove a downward transfer of solvability (a version of superstability introduced by She…
We point out a gap in Shelah's proof of the following result: $\mathbf{Claim}$ Let $K$ be an abstract elementary class categorical in unboundedly many cardinals. Then there exists a cardinal $λ$ such that whenever $M, N \in K$ have size at least $λ$, $M \le N$ if and only if $M \preceq_{L_{\infty, \text{LS} (K)^+}} N$. The importance of the claim lies in the following theorem, implicit in Shelah's work: $\mathbf{Theorem}$ Assume the claim. Let $K$ be an abstract elementary class categorical in unboundedly many cardinals. Then the class of $λ$ such that: 1) $K$ is categorical in $λ$; 2) $K$ has…
We study analytic Zariski structures from the point of view of non-elementary model theory. We show how to associate an abstract elementary class with a one-dimensional analytic Zariski structure and prove that the class is stable, quasi-minimal and homogeneous over models. We also demonstrate how Hrushovski's predimension arises in this general context as a natural geometric notion and use it as one of our main tools.
For $K$ an abstract elementary class with amalgamation and no maximal models, we show that categoricity in a high-enough cardinal implies structural properties such as the uniqueness of limit models and the existence of good frames. This improves several classical results of Shelah. $\mathbf{Theorem}$ Let $μ\ge \text{LS} (K)$. If $K$ is categorical in a $λ\ge \beth_{\left(2^μ\right)^+}$, then: 1) Whenever $M_0, M_1, M_2 \in K_μ$ are such that $M_1$ and $M_2$ are limit over $M_0$, we have $M_1 \cong_{M_0} M_2$. 2) If $μ> \text{LS} (K)$, the model of size $λ$ is $μ$-saturated. 3) If $μ\ge \beth_…
This paper is part of a program initiated by Saharon Shelah to extend the model theory of first order logic to the non-elementary setting of abstract elementary classes (AECs). An abstract elementary class is a semantic generalization of the class of models of a complete first order theory with the elementary substructure relation. We examine the symmetry property of splitting (previously isolated by the first author) in AECs with amalgamation that satisfy a local definition of superstability. The key results are a downward transfer of symmetry and a deduction of symmetry from failure of the o…
We prove: Main Theorem: Let $\mathcal{K}$ be an abstract elementary class satisfying the joint embedding and the amalgamation properties with no maximal models of cardinality $μ$. Let $μ$ be a cardinal above the the Löwenheim-Skolem number of the class. If $\mathcal{K}$ is $μ$-Galois-stable, has no $μ$-Vaughtian Pairs, does not have long splitting chains, and satisfies locality of splitting, then any two $(μ,σ_\ell)$-limits over $M$, for $\ell\in\{1,2\}$, are isomorphic over $M$. This theorem extends results of Shelah from \cite{Sh394}, \cite{Sh576}, \cite{Sh600}, Kolman and Shelah in \cite{Ko…
We study versions of limit models adapted to the context of *metric abstract elementary classes*. Under categoricity and superstability-like assumptions, we generalize some theorems from [GrVaVi]. We prove criteria for existence and uniqueness of limit models in the metric context.
Working in the context of $μ$-abstract elementary classes ($μ$-AECs) - or, equivalently, accessible categories with all morphisms monomorphisms - we examine the two natural notions of size that occur, namely cardinality of underlying sets and internal size. The latter, purely category-theoretic, notion generalizes e.g. density character in complete metric spaces and cardinality of orthogonal bases in Hilbert spaces. We consider the relationship between these notions under mild set-theoretic hypotheses, including weakenings of the singular cardinal hypothesis. We also establish preliminary resu…
We study amalgamation properties in a family of abstract elementary classes that we call coloring classes. The family includes the examples previously studied in previous work of Baldwin, Kolesnikov, and Shelah. We establish that the amalgamation property is equivalent to the disjoint amalgamation property in all coloring classes; find the Hanf number for the amalgamation property for coloring classes; and improve the results of Baldwin, Kolesnikov, and Shelah by showing, in ZFC, that the (disjoint) amalgamation property for classes $K_α$ studied in that paper must hold up to $\beth_α$ (only a…
We provide a proof, in $ZFC$, of Shelah's eventual categoricity conjecture for abstract elementary classes (AEC's). Moreover, assuming in addition the Singular Cardinal Hypothesis ($SCH$), we prove a direct generalization to the more general context of accessible categories with directed colimits. If $\mathcal{K}$ is such a category, we show that there is a cardinal $μ$ such that if $\mathcal{K}$ is $λ$-categorical for some $λ\geq μ$ (i.e., it has only one object of internal size $λ$ up to isomorphism), then $\mathcal{K}$ is eventually categorical (i.e., it is $λ'$-categorical for every $λ' \g…
The assumption that an AEC is tame is a powerful assumption permitting development of stability theory for AECs with the amalgamation property. Lately several upward categoricity theorems were discovered where tameness replaces strong set-theoretic assumptions. We present in this article two sufficient conditions for tameness, both in form of strong amalgamation properties that occur in nature. One of them was used recently to prove that several Hrushovski classes are tame. This is done by introducing the property of weak $(μ,n)$-uniqueness which makes sense for all AECs (unlike Shelah's origi…
This paper continues the study of superstability in abstract elementary classes (AECs) satisfying the amalgamation property. In particular, we consider the definition of $μ$-superstability which is based on the local character characterization of superstability from first order logic. Not only is $μ$-superstability a potential dividing line in the classification theory for AECs, but it is also a tool in proving instances of Shelah's Categoricity Conjecture. In this paper, we introduce a formulation, involving towers, of symmetry over limit models for $μ$-superstable abstract elementary classes…
University of Helsinki(赫尔辛基大学);University College London(伦敦大学学院);University of Torino(都灵大学);Istituto Nazionale di Alta Matematica “Francesco Severi”(弗朗切斯科·塞韦里国家高等数学研究所)
Tame abstract elementary classes are a broad nonelementary framework for model theory that encompasses several examples of interest. In recent years, progress toward developing a classification theory for them have been made. Abstract independence relations such as Shelah's good frames have been found to be key objects. Several new categoricity transfers have been obtained. We survey these developments using the following result (due to the second author) as our guiding thread: $\mathbf{Theorem}$ If a universal class is categorical in cardinals of arbitrarily high cofinality, then it is catego…
Our main result (Theorem 1) suggests a possible dividing line ($μ$-superstable $+$ $μ$-symmetric) for abstract elementary classes without using extra set-theoretic assumptions or tameness. This theorem illuminates the structural side of such a dividing line. Theoerem 1: Let $\mathcal{K}$ be an abstract elementary class with no maximal models of cardinality $μ^+$ which satisfies the joint embedding and amalgamation properties. Suppose $μ\geq LS(\mathcal{K})$. If $\mathcal{K}$ is $μ$- and $μ^+$-superstable and satisfies $μ^+$-symmetry, then for any increasing sequence $\langle M_i\in\mathcal{K}_…
This paper is concerned with a class K of models and an abstract notion of submodel <=. Experience in first order model theory has shown the desirability of finding a `monster model' to serve as a universal domain for K. In the original constructions of Jonsson and Fraisse, K was a universal class and ordinary substructure played the role of <=. Working with a cardinal lambda satisfying lambda^{< lambda}= lambda guarantees appropriate downward Lowenheim-Skolem theorems; the existence and uniqueness of a homogeneous-universal model appears to depend centrally on the amalgamation property. We ma…
In this paper we prove: Theorem 1. Let $\mathcal{K}$ be an abstract elementary class which satisfies the joint embedding and amalgamation properties. Suppose $λ>μ\geq LS(\mathcal{K})$ and $θ$ is a limit ordinal $<λ^+$. If $\mathcal{K}$ is $μ$ superstable and $μ^+$-superstable and satisfies $μ^+$-symmetry, then for any increasing sequence $\langle M_i\mid i<θ\rangle$ of $μ^+$-saturated models of cardinality $λ$, the model $\bigcup_{i<θ}M_i$ is $μ^+$-saturated.
Shelah has provided sufficient conditions for an $L_{ω_1, ω}$-sentence $ψ$ to have arbitrarily large models and for a Morley-like theorem to hold of $ψ$. These conditions involve structural and set-theoretic assumptions on all the $\aleph_n$'s. Using tools of Boney, Shelah, and the second author, we give assumptions on $\aleph_0$ and $\aleph_1$ which suffice when $ψ$ is restricted to be universal: $\mathbf{Theorem}$ Assume $2^{\aleph_{0}} < 2 ^{\aleph_{1}}$. Let $ψ$ be a universal $L_{ω_{1}, ω}$-sentence. - If $ψ$ is categorical in $\aleph_{0}$ and $1 \leq I(ψ, \aleph_{1}) < 2 ^{\aleph_{1}}$, …
We introduce tame abstract elementary classes as a generalization of all cases of abstract elementary classes that are known to permit development of stability-like theory. In this paper we explore stability results in this context. We assume that $\K$ is a tame abstract elementary class satisfying the amalgamation property with no maximal model. The main results include: (1) Galois-stability above the Hanf number implies that κ(K) is less than the Hanf number. Where κ(K) is the parallel of \kapppa(T) for f.o. T. (2) We use (1) to construct Morley sequences (for non-splitting) improving previo…
We study abstract elementary classes (AECs) that, in $\aleph_0$, have amalgamation, joint embedding, no maximal models and are stable (in terms of the number of orbital types). Assuming a locality property for types, we prove that such classes exhibit superstable-like behavior at $\aleph_0$. More precisely, there is a superlimit model of cardinality $\aleph_0$ and the class generated by this superlimit has a type-full good $\aleph_0$-frame (a local notion of nonforking independence) and a superlimit model of cardinality $\aleph_1$. We also give a supersimplicity condition under which the local…
We develop a notion of forking for Galois-types in the context of Abstract Elementary Classes (AECs). Under the hypotheses that an AEC $K$ is tame, type-short, and failure of an order-property, we consider {\bf Definition.} Let $M_0 \prec N$ be models from $K$ and $A$ be a set. We say that the Galois-type of $A$ over $M$ \emph{does not fork over $M_0$} iff for all small $a \in A$ and all small $N^- \prec N$, we have that Galois-type of $a$ over $N^-$ is realized in $M_0$. Assuming property (E) (see Definition 3.3) we show that this non-forking is a well behaved notion of independence, in parti…
Classification theory of elementary classes deals with first order (elementary) classes of structures (i.e. fixing a set T of first order sentences, we investigate the class of models of T with the elementary submodel notion). It tries to find dividing lines, prove their consequences, prove "structure theorems, positive theorems" on those in the "low side" (in particular stable and superstable theories), and prove "non-structure, complexity theorems" on the "high side". It has started with categoricity and number of non-isomorphic models. It is probably recognized as the central part of model …
In this paper we address a problem posed by Shelah in 1999 to find a suitable notion for superstability for abstract elementary classes in which limit models of cardinality $μ$ are saturated. Theorem 1. Suppose that $\mathcal{K}$ is a $χ$-tame abstract elementary class with no maximal models satisfying the joint embedding property and the amalgamation property. Suppose $μ$ is a cardinal with $μ\geq\beth_{(2^{LS(\mathcal{K})+χ})^+}$. Let $M$ be a model of cardinality $μ$. If $\mathcal{K}$ is both $χ$-stable and $μ$-stable and satisfies the $μ$-superstability assumptions, then any two $μ$-limit …
We initiate a systematic investigation of the abstract elementary classes that have amalgamation, satisfy tameness (a locality property for orbital types), and are stable (in terms of the number of orbital types) in some cardinal. Assuming the singular cardinal hypothesis (SCH), we prove a full characterization of the (high-enough) stability cardinals, and connect the stability spectrum with the behavior of saturated models. We deduce (in ZFC) that if a class is stable on a tail of cardinals, then it has no long splitting chains (the converse is known). This indicates that there is a clear not…
We show that metric abstract elementary classes (mAECs) are, in the sense of [LR] (i.e. arXiv:1404.2528), coherent accessible categories with directed colimits, with concrete $\aleph_1$-directed colimits and concrete monomorphisms. More broadly, we define a notion of $κ$-concrete AEC---an AEC-like category in which only the $κ$-directed colimits need be concrete---and develop the theory of such categories, beginning with a category-theoretic analogue of Shelah's Presentation Theorem and a proof of the existence of an Ehrenfeucht-Mostowski functor in case the category is large. For mAECs in par…
In this paper we examine the task set forth by Shelah and Villaveces in \cite{ShVi} of proving the uniqueness of limit models of cardinality $μ$ in $λ$-categorical abstract elementary classes with no maximal models, where $λ$ is some cardinal larger than $μ$. In \cite{Va} and \cite{Va-errata} we identified several gaps in the approach outlined in \cite{ShVi}, and we added the assumption that the union of an increasing chain of limit models is a limit model. Here we replace this assumption with the seemingly weaker statement that the union of an increasing and continuous chain of limit models i…
In this paper, we apply results of \cite{Va3} and use towers to transfer symmetry from $μ^+$ down to $μ$ in superstable abstract elementary classes without using extra set-theoretic assumptions or tameness. Theorem. Suppose $\mathcal{K}$ is an abstract elementary class satisfying the amalgamation and joint embedding properties and that $\mathcal{K}$ is both $μ$- and $μ^+$-superstable. If $\mathcal{K}$ has symmetry for non-$μ^+$-splitting, then $\mathcal{K}$ has symmetry for non-$μ$-splitting. This is a new application of towers which were introduced by Shelah and Villaveces \cite{ShVi} and lat…
We introduce the framework of AECats (abstract elementary categories), generalising both the category of models of some first-order theory and the category of subsets of models. Any AEC and any compact abstract theory ("cat", as introduced by Ben-Yaacov) forms an AECat. In particular, we find applications in positive logic and continuous logic: the category of (subsets of) models of a positive or continuous theory is an AECat. The Kim-Pillay theorem for first-order logic characterises simple theories by the properties dividing independence has. We prove a version of the Kim-Pillay theorem for …
We present a way of topologizing sets of Galois types over structures in abstract elementary classes with amalgamation. In the elementary case, the topologies thus produced refine the syntactic topologies familiar from first order logic. We exhibit a number of natural correspondences between the model-theoretic properties of classes and their constituent models and the topological properties of the associated spaces. Tameness of Galois types, in particular, emerges as a topological separation principle.