We present an elementary system of axioms for the geometry of Minkowski spacetime. It strikes a balance between a simple and streamlined set of axioms and the attempt to give a direct formalization in first-order logic of the standard account of Minkowski spacetime in [Maudlin 2012] and [Malament, unpublished]. It is intended for future use in the formalization of physical theories in Minkowski spacetime. The choice of primitives is in the spirit of [Tarski 1959]: a predicate of betwenness and a (...) four place predicate to compare the square of the relativistic intervals. Minkowski spacetime is described as a four dimensional ‘vector space’ that can be decomposed everywhere into a spacelike hyperplane - which obeys the Euclidean axioms in [Tarski and Givant, 1999] - and an orthogonal timelike line. The length of other ‘vectors’ are calculated according to Pythagora’s theorem. We conclude with a Representation Theorem relating models of our system that satisfy second order continuity to the mathematical structure called ‘Minkowski spacetime’ in physics textbooks. (shrink)

This paper was motivated by the following two questions which arise in the theory of complexity for computation over ordered rings in the now famous computational model introduced by Blum, Shub and Smale: 1. is the answer to the question P = ?NP the same in every real-closed field?2. if P ≠ NP for , does there exist a problem of which is NP but neither P nor NP-complete ?Some unclassical complexity classes arise naturally in the study of these questions. (...) They are still open, but we could obtain unconditional results of independent interest.Michaux introduced/const complexity classes in an effort to attack question . We show that , answering a question of his. Here A is the class of real problems which are algorithmic in bounded time. We also prove the stronger result: , where PAR stands for parallel polynomial time. In our terminology, we say that is A-saturated and PAR-saturated. We also prove, at the nonuniform level, the above results for every real-closed field. It is not known whether is P-saturated. In the case of the reals with addition and order we obtain P-saturation ). More generally, we show that an ordered -vector space is P-saturated at the nonuniform level ).We also study a stronger notion that we call P-stability. Blum, Cucker, Shub and Smale have shown that fields of characteristic 0 are P-stable. We show that the reals with addition and order are P-stable, but real-closed fields are not.Questions and and the/const complexity classes have some model theoretic flavor. This leads to the theory of complexity over “arbitrary” structures as introduced by Poizat. We give a summary of this theory with a special emphasis on the connections with model theory and we study/const complexity classes from this point of view. Note also that our proof of the PAR-saturation of shows that an o-minimal structure which admits quantifier elimination is A-saturated at the nonuniform level. (shrink)

We show that the Lascar group $\operatorname {Gal}_L$ of a first-order theory T is naturally isomorphic to the fundamental group $\pi _1|)$ of the classifying space of the category of models of T and elementary embeddings. We use this identification to compute the Lascar groups of several example theories via homotopy-theoretic methods, and in fact completely characterize the homotopy type of $|\mathrm {Mod}|$ for these theories T. It turns out that in each of these cases, $|\operatorname {Mod}|$ is aspherical, i.e., (...) its higher homotopy groups vanish. This raises the question of which homotopy types are of the form $|\mathrm {Mod}|$ in general. As a preliminary step towards answering this question, we show that every homotopy type is of the form $|\mathcal {C}|$ where $\mathcal {C}$ is an Abstract Elementary Class with amalgamation for $\kappa $ -small objects, where $\kappa $ may be taken arbitrarily large. This result is improved in another paper. (shrink)

We show that if is not in the field generated by α1,…,αn, then no restriction of the function xβ to an interval is definable in . We also prove that if the real and imaginary parts of a complex analytic function are definable in Rexp or in the expansion of by functions xα, for irrational α, then they are already definable in . We conclude with some conjectures and open questions.

We study the theory of lovely pairs of geometric structures, in particular o-minimal structures. We use the pairs to isolate a class of geometric structures called weakly locally modular which generalizes the class of linear structures in the settings of SU-rank one theories and o-minimal theories. For o-minimal theories, we use the Peterzil–Starchenko trichotomy theorem to characterize for a sufficiently general point, the local geometry around it in terms of the thorn U-rank of its type inside a lovely pair.

We prove that if G is a group definable in a saturated o-minimal structure, then G has no infinite descending chain of type-definable subgroups of bounded index. Equivalently, G has a smallest type-definable subgroup G00 of bounded index and G/G00 equipped with the “logic topology” is a compact Lie group. These results give partial answers to some conjectures of the fourth author.

In Part I of this paper we argued that the first-order systems HP5 and EG are modest complete descriptive axiomatization of most of Euclidean geometry. In this paper we discuss two further modest complete descriptive axiomatizations: Tarksi’s for Cartesian geometry and new systems for adding $$\pi$$. In contrast we find Hilbert’s full second-order system immodest for geometrical purposes but appropriate as a foundation for mathematical analysis.

By recent work on some conjectures of Pillay, each definably compact group G in a saturated o-minimal expansion of an ordered field has a normal "infinitesimal subgroup" G00 such that the quotient G/G00, equipped with the "logic topology", is a compact (real) Lie group. Our first result is that the functor G → G/G00 sends exact sequences of definably compact groups into exact sequences of Lie groups. We then study the connections between the Lie group G/G00 and the o-minimal spectrum (...) G̃ of G. We prove that G/G00 is a topological quotient of G̃. We thus obtain a natural homomorphism ψ* from the cohomology of G/G00 to the (Čech-)cohomology of G̃. We show that if G00 satisfies a suitable contractibility conjecture then $\widetilde{G^{00}}$ is acyclic in Čech cohomology and ψ* is an isomorphism. Finally we prove the conjecture in some special cases. (shrink)

This book, presented in two parts, offers a slow introduction to mathematical logic, and several basic concepts of model theory, such as first-order definability, types, symmetries, and elementary extensions. Its first part, Logic Sets, and Numbers, shows how mathematical logic is used to develop the number structures of classical mathematics. The exposition does not assume any prerequisites; it is rigorous, but as informal as possible. All necessary concepts are introduced exactly as they would be in a course in mathematical logic; (...) but are accompanied by more extensive introductory remarks and examples to motivate formal developments. The second part, Relations, Structures, Geometry, introduces several basic concepts of model theory, such as first-order definability, types, symmetries, and elementary extensions, and shows how they are used to study and classify mathematical structures. Although more advanced, this second part is accessible to the reader who is either already familiar with basic mathematical logic, or has carefully read the first part of the book. Classical developments in model theory, including the Compactness Theorem and its uses, are discussed. Other topics include tameness, minimality, and order minimality of structures. The book can be used as an introduction to model theory, but unlike standard texts, it does not require familiarity with abstract algebra. This book will also be of interest to mathematicians who know the technical aspects of the subject, but are not familiar with its history and philosophical background. (shrink)

We construct Hrushovski–Kazhdan style motivic integration in certain expansions of ACVF. Such an expansion is typically obtained by adding a full section or a cross-section from the RV-sort into the VF-sort and some extra structure in the RV-sort. The construction of integration, that is, the inverse of the lifting map , is rather straightforward. What is a bit surprising is that the kernel of is still generated by one element, exactly as in the case of integration in ACVF. The overall (...) construction is more or less parallel to the main construction of Hrushovski and Kazhdan , as presented in Yin and Yin . As an application, we show uniform rationality of Igusa zeta functions for non-archimedean local fields with unbounded ramification degrees. (shrink)

Let M be a polynomially bounded, o-minimal structure with archimedean prime model, for example if M is a real closed field. Let C be a convex and unbounded subset of M. We determine the first order theory of the structure M expanded by the set C. We do this also over any given set of parameters from M, which yields a description of all subsets of Mn, definable in the expanded structure.

We prove, by explicit construction, that not all sets definable in polynomially bounded o-minimal structures have mild parameterization. Our methods do not depend on the bounds particular to the definition of mildness and therefore our construction is also valid for a generalized form of parameterization, which we call G-mild. Moreover, we present a cell decomposition result for certain o-minimal structures which may be of independent interest. This allows us to show how our construction can produce polynomially bounded, model complete expansions (...) of the real ordered field which, in addition to lacking G-mild parameterization, nonetheless still have analytic cell decomposition. (shrink)

Strong cell decomposition property has been proved in non-valuational weakly o-minimal expansions of ordered groups. In this note, we show that all o-minimal traces have strong cell decomposition property. Also after introducing the notion of irrational nonvaluational cut in arbitrary o-minimal structures, we show that every expansion of o-minimal structures by irrational nonvaluational cuts is an o-minimal trace.

This essay offers a conception of logic by which logic may be considered to be exceptional among the sciences on the backdrop of a naturalistic outlook. The conception of logic focused on emphasises the traditional role of logic as a methodology for the sciences, which distinguishes it from other sciences that are not methodological. On the proposed conception, the methodological aims of logic drive its definitions and principles, rather than the description of scientific phenomena. The notion of a methodological discipline (...) is explained as a relation between disciplines or practices. Logic serves as a methodological discipline with respect to any theoretical practice, and this generality, as well as logic’s reflexive nature, distinguish it from other methodological disciplines. Finally, the evolution of model theory is taken as a case study, with a focus on its methodological role. Following recent work by John Baldwin and Juliette Kennedy, we look at model theory from its inception in the mid-twentieth century as a foundational endeavour until developments at the end of the century, where the classification of theories has taken centre-stage. (shrink)

We give necessary and sufficient conditions on a non-oscillatory curve in an o-minimal field such that, for any bounded definable function, the germ of the function on an initial segment of the curve has a definable extension to a closed set. This situation is translated into a question about types: What are the conditions on an n-type such that, for any bounded definable function, the germ of the function on the type has a definable continuous global extension? Certain categories of (...) definable types have this property, and we give the precise conditions that are equivalent to existence of the global extension. (shrink)

We consider reducts of the structure $\mathscr{R} = \langle\mathbb{R}, +, \cdot, <\rangle$ and other real closed fields. We compete the proof that there exists a unique reduct between $\langle\mathbb{R}, +, <, \lambda_a\rangle_{a\in\mathbb{R}}$ and R, and we demonstrate how to recover the definition of multiplication in more general contexts than the semialgebraic one. We then conclude a similar result for reducts between $\langle\mathbb{R}, \cdot, <\rangle$ and R and for general real closed fields.

We consider definable topological spaces of dimension one in o-minimal structures, and state several equivalent conditions for when such a topological space \ \) is definably homeomorphic to an affine definable space with the induced subspace topology). One of the main results says that it is sufficient for X to be regular and decompose into finitely many definably connected components.

Given an o-minimal structure M\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\mathcal M}$$\end{document} with a group operation, we show that for a properly convex subset U, the theory of the expanded structure M′=\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\mathcal M}'=$$\end{document} has definable Skolem functions precisely when M′\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\mathcal M}'$$\end{document} is valuational. As a corollary, we get an elementary proof that the theory of any such M′\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} (...) \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\mathcal M}'$$\end{document} does not satisfy definable choice. (shrink)

We develop a general framework for measure theory and integration theory that is compatible with o-minimality. Therefore the following natural definitions are introduced. Given are an o-minimal structure M and a Borel measure μ on some Rn. We say that μ is M-compatible if there is an o-minimal expansion of M such that for every parameterized family of subsets of Rn that is definable in M the corresponding family of μ-measures is definable in this o-minimal expansion. We say that μ (...) is M-tame if there is an o-minimal expansion of M such that for every parameterized family of functions on Rn that is definable in M the corresponding family of integrals with respect to μ is definable in this o-minimal expansion. We substantiate these definitions with existing and many new examples. We investigate the Lebesgue measure in their light. We prove definable versions of fundamental results such as the theorem of Radon–Nikodym, the Lebesgue decomposition theorem and the Riesz representation theorem. They allow us to describe explicitly compatible and tame measures and to classify them in dimension one. (shrink)

We give an example of an imaginary defined in certain valued fields with analytic structure which cannot be coded in the ‘geometric' sorts which suffice to code all imaginaries in the corresponding algebraic setting.

We consider semi‐algebraic sets and properties of these sets that are expressible by sentences in first‐order logic over the reals. We are interested in first‐order properties that are invariant under topological transformations of the ambient space. Two semi‐algebraic sets are called topologically elementarily equivalent if they cannot be distinguished by such topological first‐order sentences. So far, only semi‐algebraic sets in one and two‐dimensional space have been considered in this context. Our contribution is a natural characterisation of topological elementary equivalence of (...) regular closed semi‐algebraic sets in three‐dimensional space, extending a known characterisation for the two‐dimensional case. Our characterisation is based on the local topological behaviour of semi‐algebraic sets and the key observation that topologically elementarily equivalent sets can be transformed into each other by means of geometric transformations, each of them mapping a set to a first‐order indistinguishable one. (shrink)

We define and investigate a uniformly locally o-minimal structure of the second kind in this paper. All uniformly locally o-minimal structures of the second kind have local monotonicity, which is a local version of monotonicity theorem of o-minimal structures. We also demonstrate a local definable cell decomposition theorem for definably complete uniformly locally o-minimal structures of the second kind. We define dimension of a definable set and investigate its basic properties when the given structure is a locally o-minimal structure which (...) admits local definable cell decomposition. (shrink)

We study first-order expansions of ordered fields that are definably complete, and moreover either are locally o-minimal, or have a locally o-minimal open core. We give a characterisation of structures with locally o-minimal open core, and we show that dense elementary pairs of locally o-minimal structures have locally o-minimal open core.

Consider an o-minimal expansion of the real field. We show that definable Lipschitz continuous maps can be definably fine approximated by definable continuously differentiable Lipschitz maps whose Lipschitz constant is close to that of the original map.

In this short note we provide an example of a semi-linear group G which does not admit a semi-linear affine embedding; in other words, there is no semi-linear isomorphism between topological groups f:G→G′Mm, such that the group topology on G′ coincides with the subspace topology induced by Mm.

We prove the Compact Domination Conjecture for groups definable in linear o-minimal structures. Namely, we show that every definably compact group G definable in a saturated linear o-minimal expansion of an ordered group is compactly dominated by (G/G 00, m, π), where m is the Haar measure on G/G 00 and π : G → G/G 00 is the canonical group homomorphism.

Let \ be an expansion of a real closed field \ by a dense subgroup G of \ with the Mann property. We prove that the induced structure on G by \ eliminates imaginaries. As a consequence, every small set X definable in \ can be definably embedded into some \, uniformly in parameters. These results are proved in a more general setting, where \ is an expansion of an o-minimal structure \ by a dense set \, satisfying three tameness (...) conditions. (shrink)

We show that in an o-minimal expansion of an ordered group finite definable extensions of a definable group which is defined in a reduct are already defined in the reduct. A similar result is proved for finite topological extensions of definable groups defined in o-minimal expansions of the ordered set of real numbers.

We prove that in a semi-bounded o-minimal expansion of an ordered group every non-empty open definable set is a finite union of open cells.

In this paper we work in an arbitrary o-minimal structure with definable Skolem functions and prove that definably connected, locally definable manifolds are uniformly definably path connected, have an admissible cover by definably simply connected, open definable subsets and, definable paths and definable homotopies on such locally definable manifolds can be lifted to locally definable covering maps. These properties allow us to obtain the main properties of the general o-minimal fundamental group, including: invariance and comparison results; existence of universal locally (...) definable covering maps; monodromy equivalence for locally constant o-minimal sheaves – from which one obtains, as in algebraic topology, classification results for locally definable covering maps, o-minimal Hurewicz and Seifert–van Kampen theorems. (shrink)