Reverse mathematics and equivalents of the axiom of choice

We study the reverse mathematics of countable analogues of several maximality principles that are equivalent to the axiom of choice in set theory. Among these are the principle asserting that every family of sets has a $\subseteq$-maximal subfamily with the finite intersection property and the principle asserting that if $P$ is a property of finite character then every set has a $\subseteq$-maximal subset of which $P$ holds. We show that these principles and their variations have a wide range of strengths in the context of second-order arithmetic, from being equivalent to $\mathsf{Z}_2$ to being weaker than $\mathsf{ACA}_0$ and incomparable with $\mathsf{WKL}_0$. In particular, we identify a choice principle that, modulo $\Sigma^0_2$ induction, lies strictly below the atomic model theorem principle $\mathsf{AMT}$ and implies the omitting partial types principle $\mathsf{OPT}$

Expansions, omitting types, and standard systems

Recursive saturation and resplendence are two important notions in models of arithmetic. Kaye, Kossak, and Kotlarski introduced the notion of arithmetic saturation and argued that recursive saturation might not be as rigid as first assumed. In this thesis we give further examples of variations of recursive saturation, all of which are connected with expandability properties similar to resplendence. However, the expandability properties are stronger than resplendence and implies, in one way or another, that the expansion not only satisfies a theory, but also omits a type. We conjecture that a special version of this expandability is in fact equivalent to arithmetic saturation. We prove that another of these properties is equivalent to \beta-saturation. We also introduce a variant on recursive saturation which makes sense in the context of a standard predicate, and which is equivalent to a certain amount of ordinary saturation. The theory of all models which omit a certain type p(x) is also investigated. We define a proof system, which proves a sentence if and only if it is true in all models omitting the type p(x). The complexity of such proof systems are discussed and some explicit examples of theories and types with high complexity, in a special sense, are given. We end the thesis by a small comment on Scott's problem. We prove that, under the assumption of Martin's axiom, every Scott set of cardinality <2^{\aleph_0} closed under arithmetic comprehension which has the countable chain condition is the standard system of some model of PA. However, we do not know if there exists any such uncountable Scott sets.Comment: Doctoral thesi

Club guessing and the universal models

We survey the use of club guessing and other pcf constructs in the context of showing that a given partially ordered class of objects does not have a largest, or a universal element