33 research outputs found
Infinitesimals without Logic
We introduce the ring of Fermat reals, an extension of the real field
containing nilpotent infinitesimals. The construction takes inspiration from
Smooth Infinitesimal Analysis (SIA), but provides a powerful theory of actual
infinitesimals without any need of a background in mathematical logic. In
particular, on the contrary with respect to SIA, which admits models only in
intuitionistic logic, the theory of Fermat reals is consistent with classical
logic. We face the problem to decide if the product of powers of nilpotent
infinitesimals is zero or not, the identity principle for polynomials, the
definition and properties of the total order relation. The construction is
highly constructive, and every Fermat real admits a clear and order preserving
geometrical representation. Using nilpotent infinitesimals, every smooth
functions becomes a polynomial because in Taylor's formulas the rest is now
zero. Finally, we present several applications to informal classical
calculations used in Physics: now all these calculations become rigorous and,
at the same time, formally equal to the informal ones. In particular, an
interesting rigorous deduction of the wave equation is given, that clarifies
how to formalize the approximations tied with Hook's law using this language of
nilpotent infinitesimals.Comment: The first part of the preprint is taken directly form arXiv:0907.1872
The second part is new and contains a list of example
Countermodel Construction via Optimal Hypersequent Calculi for Non-normal Modal Logics
International audienceWe develop semantically-oriented calculi for the cube of non-normal modal logics and some deontic extensions. The calculi manipulate hypersequents and have a simple semantic interpretation. Their main feature is that they allow for direct countermodel extraction. Moreover they provide an optimal decision procedure for the respective logics. They also enjoy standard proof-theoretical properties, such as a syntactical proof of cut-admissibility
Change Actions: Models of Generalised Differentiation
Cai et al. have recently proposed change structures as a semantic framework
for incremental computation. We generalise change structures to arbitrary
cartesian categories and propose the notion of change action model as a
categorical model for (higher-order) generalised differentiation. Change action
models naturally arise from many geometric and computational settings, such as
(generalised) cartesian differential categories, group models of discrete
calculus, and Kleene algebra of regular expressions. We show how to build
canonical change action models on arbitrary cartesian categories, reminiscent
of the F\`aa di Bruno construction
`Iconoclastic', Categorical Quantum Gravity
This is a two-part, `2-in-1' paper. In Part I, the introductory talk at
`Glafka--2004: Iconoclastic Approaches to Quantum Gravity' international
theoretical physics conference is presented in paper form (without references).
In Part II, the more technical talk, originally titled ``Abstract Differential
Geometric Excursion to Classical and Quantum Gravity'', is presented in paper
form (with citations). The two parts are closely entwined, as Part I makes
general motivating remarks for Part II.Comment: 34 pages, in paper form 2 talks given at ``Glafka--2004: Iconoclastic
Approaches to Quantum Gravity'' international theoretical physics conference,
Athens, Greece (summer 2004