Set-Theoretic Geology

A ground of the universe V is a transitive proper class W subset V, such that W is a model of ZFC and V is obtained by set forcing over W, so that V = W[G] for some W-generic filter G subset P in W . The model V satisfies the ground axiom GA if there are no such W properly contained in V . The model W is a bedrock of V if W is a ground of V and satisfies the ground axiom. The mantle of V is the intersection of all grounds of V . The generic mantle of V is the intersection of all grounds of all set-forcing extensions of V . The generic HOD, written gHOD, is the intersection of all HODs of all set-forcing extensions. The generic HOD is always a model of ZFC, and the generic mantle is always a model of ZF. Every model of ZFC is the mantle and generic mantle of another model of ZFC. We prove this theorem while also controlling the HOD of the final model, as well as the generic HOD. Iteratively taking the mantle penetrates down through the inner mantles to what we call the outer core, what remains when all outer layers of forcing have been stripped away. Many fundamental questions remain open.Comment: 44 pages; commentary concerning this article can be made at http://jdh.hamkins.org/set-theoreticgeology

Localizing the axioms

We examine what happens if we replace ZFC with a localistic/relativistic system, LZFC, whose central new axiom, denoted by $Loc({\rm ZFC})$, says that every set belongs to a transitive model of ZFC. LZFC consists of $Loc({\rm ZFC})$ plus some elementary axioms forming Basic Set Theory (BST). Some theoretical reasons for this shift of view are given. All $\Pi_2$ consequences of ZFC are provable in ${\rm LZFC}$. LZFC strongly extends Kripke-Platek (KP) set theory minus $\Delta_0$-Collection and minus $\in$-induction scheme. ZFC+``there is an inaccessible cardinal'' proves the consistency of LZFC. In LZFC we focus on models rather than cardinals, a transitive model being considered as the analogue of an inaccessible cardinal. Pushing this analogy further we define $\alpha$-Mahlo models and $\Pi_1^1$-indescribable models, the latter being the analogues of weakly compact cardinals. Also localization axioms of the form $Loc({\rm ZFC}+\phi)$ are considered and their global consequences are examined. Finally we introduce the concept of standard compact cardinal (in ZFC) and some standard compactness results are proved.Comment: 38 page