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23 - Arithmetical Definability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

John P. Burgess
Affiliation:
Princeton University, New Jersey
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Summary

Tarski's theorem tells us that the set V of (code numbers of) first-order sentences of the language in arithmetic that are true in the standard interpretation is not arithmetically definable. In section 23.1 we show that this negative result is poised, so to speak, between two positive results. One is that for each n the set Vn of sentences of the language of arithmetic of degree of complexity n that are true in the standard interpretation is arithmetically definable (in a sense of degree of complexity to be made precise). The other is that the class {V} of sets of natural numbers whose one and only member is V is arithmetically definable (in a sense of arithmetical definability for classes to be made precise). In section 23.2 we take up the question whether the class of arithmetically definable sets of numbers is an arithmetically definable class of sets. The answer is negative, according to Addison's theorem. This result is perhaps most interesting on account of its method of proof, which is a comparatively simple application of the method of forcing originally devised to prove the independence of the continuum hypothesis in set theory (as alluded to in the historical notes to Chapter 18).

Arithmetical Definability and Truth

Throughout this chapter we use L and N for the language of arithmetic and its standard interpretation (previously called L* and N*), and V for the set of code numbers of first-order sentences of L ture in N.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2007

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