We show that the analysis of Keisler’s order can be localized to the study of φ-types. Specifically, if is a regular ultrafilter on λ such that and M is a model whose theory is countable, then is λ+-saturated iff it realizes all φ-types of size λ.

We develop the theory of generically stable types, independence relation based on nonforking and stable weight in the context of dependent theories.

For a first-order formula φ(x; y) we introduce and study the characteristic sequence ⟨P n : n < ω⟩ of hypergraphs defined by P n (y₁…., y n ):= $(\exists x)\bigwedge _{i\leq n}\varphi (x;y_{i})$ . We show that combinatorial and classification theoretic properties of the characteristic sequence reflect classification theoretic properties of φ and vice versa. The main results are a characterization of NIP and of simplicity in terms of persistence of configurations in the characteristic sequence. Specifically, we show that (...) some tree properties are detected by the presence of certain combinatorial configurations in the characteristic sequence while other properties such as instability and the independence property manifest themselves in the persistence of complicated configurations under localization. (shrink)

This paper continues the work in [S. Shelah, Towards classifying unstable theories, Annals of Pure and Applied Logic 80 229–255] and [M. Džamonja, S. Shelah, On left triangle, open*-maximality, Annals of Pure and Applied Logic 125 119–158]. We present a rank function for NSOP1 theories and give an example of a theory which is NSOP1 but not simple. We also investigate the connection between maximality in the ordering left triangle, open* among complete first order theories and the SOP2 property. We (...) prove that left triangle, open*-maximality implies SOP2 and obtain certain results in the other direction. The paper provides a step toward the classification of unstable theories without the strict order property. (shrink)

This paper continues the work in [S. Shelah, Towards classifying unstable theories, Annals of Pure and Applied Logic 80 229–255] and [M. Džamonja, S. Shelah, On left triangle, open*-maximality, Annals of Pure and Applied Logic 125 119–158]. We present a rank function for NSOP1 theories and give an example of a theory which is NSOP1 but not simple. We also investigate the connection between maximality in the ordering left triangle, open* among complete first order theories and the SOP2 property. We (...) prove that left triangle, open*-maximality implies SOP2 and obtain certain results in the other direction. The paper provides a step toward the classification of unstable theories without the strict order property. (shrink)