Exploiting the fact that -definable non-monotone inductive definitions have the same closure ordinal as arbitrary arithmetically definable monotone inductive definitions, we show that the proof theoretic ordinal of an axiomatization of -definable non-monotone inductive definitions coincides with the proof theoretic ordinal of the theory of arithmetically definable monotone inductive definitions.

This paper is intended to give for a general mathematical audience a survey of intriguing connections between analytic combinatorics and logic. We define the ordinals below ε0 in non-logical terms and we survey a selection of recent results about the analytic combinatorics of these ordinals. Using a versatile and flexible compression technique we give applications to phase transitions for independence results, Hilbert’s basis theorem, local number theory, Ramsey theory, Hydra games, and Goodstein sequences. We discuss briefly universality and renormalization issues (...) in this context. Finally, we indicate how regularity properties of ordinal count functions can be used to prove logical limit laws. (shrink)

The \-substitution method is a technique for giving consistency proofs for theories of arithmetic. We use this technique to give a proof of the consistency of the impredicative theory \ using a variant of the cut-elimination formalism introduced by Mints.

§1. Introduction. The purpose of this paper is, in general, to report the state of the art of ordinal analysis and, in particular, the recent success in obtaining an ordinal analysis for the system of -analysis, which is the subsystem of formal second order arithmetic, Z2, with comprehension confined to -formulae. The same techniques can be used to provide ordinal analyses for theories that are reducible to iterated -comprehension, e.g., -comprehension. The details will be laid out in [28].Ordinal-theoretic proof theory (...) came into existence in 1936, springing forth from Gentzen's head in the course of his consistency proof of arithmetic. Gentzen fostered hopes that with sufficiently large constructive ordinals one could establish the consistency of analysis, i.e., Z2. Considerable progress has been made in proof theory since Gentzen's tragic death on August 4th, 1945, but an ordinal analysis of Z2 is still something to be sought. However, for reasons that cannot be explained here, -comprehension appears to be the main stumbling block on the road to understanding full comprehension, giving hope for an ordinal analysis of Z2 in the foreseeable future.Roughly speaking, ordinally informative proof theory attaches ordinals in a recursive representation system to proofs in a given formal system; transformations on proofs to certain canonical forms are then partially mirrored by operations on the associated ordinals. Among other things, ordinal analysis of a formal system serves to characterize its provably recursive ordinals, functions and functionals and can yield both conservation and combinatorial independence results. (shrink)

The technique of using infinitary rules in an ordinal analysis has been one of the most productive developments in ordinal analysis. Unfortunately, one of the most advanced variants, the Buchholz Ωμ rule, does not apply to systems much stronger than -comprehension. In this paper, we propose a new extension of the Ω rule using game-theoretic quantifiers. We apply this to a system of inductive definitions with at least the strength of a recursively inaccessible ordinal.

§1. Introduction. The purpose of this paper is, in general, to report the state of the art of ordinal analysis and, in particular, the recent success in obtaining an ordinal analysis for the system of-analysis, which is the subsystem of formal second order arithmetic, Z2, with comprehension confined to-formulae. The same techniques can be used to provide ordinal analyses for theories that are reducible to iterated-comprehension, e.g.,-comprehension. The details will be laid out in [28].Ordinal-theoretic proof theory came into existence in (...) 1936, springing forth from Gentzen's head in the course of his consistency proof of arithmetic. Gentzen fostered hopes that with sufficiently large constructive ordinals one could establish the consistency of analysis, i.e., Z2. Considerable progress has been made in proof theory since Gentzen's tragic death on August 4th, 1945, but an ordinal analysis of Z2is still something to be sought. However, for reasons that cannot be explained here,-comprehension appears to be the main stumbling block on the road to understanding full comprehension, giving hope for an ordinal analysis of Z2in the foreseeable future.Roughly speaking,ordinally informativeproof theory attaches ordinals in a recursive representation system to proofs in a given formal system; transformations on proofs to certain canonical forms are then partially mirrored by operations on the associated ordinals. Among other things, ordinal analysis of a formal system serves to characterize its provably recursive ordinals, functions and functionals and can yield both conservation and combinatorial independence results. (shrink)