BERKELEY CARDINALS AND THE STRUCTURE OF L(Vδ+1)

We explore the structural properties of the inner model L(Vδ+1) under the assumption that δ is a singular limit of Berkeley cardinals each of which is itself limit of extendible cardinals, lifting some of the main results of the theory of the axiom I0 to the level of Berkeley cardinals, the strongest known large cardinal axioms. Berkeley cardinals have been recently introduced in [1] and contradict the Axiom of Choice.1 In fact, our background theory will be ZF.

ON C(n)-EXTENDIBLE CARDINALS

The hierarchies of C(n)-cardinals were introduced by Bagaria in [1] and were further studied and extended by the author in [18] and in [20]. The case of C(n)-extendible cardinals, and of their C(n)+-extendibility variant, is of particular interest since such cardinals have found applications in the areas of category theory, of homotopy theory, and of model theory (see [2], [3], and [4], respectively). However, the exact relation between these two notions had been left unclarified. Moreover, the question of whether the Generalized Continuum Hypothesis (GCH) can be forced while preserving C(n)-extendible cardinals (for n1) also remained open. In this note, we first establish results in the direction of exactly controlling the targets of C(n)-extendibility embeddings. As a corollary, we show that every C(n)-extendible cardinal is in fact C(n)+-extendible; this, in turn, clarifies the assumption needed in some applications obtained in [3]. At the same time, we underline the applicability of our arguments in the context of C(n)-ultrahuge cardinals as well, as these were introduced in [20]. Subsequently, we show that C(n)-extendible cardinals carry their own Laver functions, making them the first known example of C(n)-cardinals that have this desirable feature. Finally, we obtain an alternative characterization of C(n)-extendibility, which we use to answer the question regarding forcing the GCH affirmatively.

HIERARCHIES OF (VIRTUAL) RESURRECTION AXIOMS

I analyze the hierarchies of the bounded resurrection axioms and their “virtual” versions, the virtual bounded resurrection axioms, for several classes of forcings (the emphasis being on the subcomplete forcings). I analyze these axioms in terms of implications and consistency strengths. For the virtual hierarchies, I provide level-by-level equiconsistencies with an appropriate hierarchy of virtual partially super-extendible cardinals. I show that the boldface resurrection axioms for subcomplete or countably closed forcing imply the failure of Todorčević’s square at the appropriate level. I also establish connections between these hierarchies and the hierarchies of bounded and weak bounded forcing axioms.

A STRONG REFLECTION PRINCIPLE

This article introduces a new reflection principle. It is based on the idea that whatever is true in all entities of some kind is also true in a set-sized collection of them. Unlike standard reflection principles, it does not re-interpret parameters or predicates. This allows it to be both consistent in all higher-order languages and remarkably strong. For example, I show that in the language of second-order set theory with predicates for a satisfaction relation, it is consistent relative to the existence of a 2-extendible cardinal (Theorem 7.12) and implies the existence of a proper class of 1-extendible cardinals (Theorem 7.9).

ON RESURRECTION AXIOMS

The resurrection axioms are forms of forcing axioms that were introduced recently by Hamkins and Johnstone, who developed on earlier ideas of Chalons and Veličković. In this note, we introduce a stronger form of resurrection (which we callunboundedresurrection) and show that it gives rise to families of axioms which are consistent relative to extendible cardinals, and which imply the strongest known instances of forcing axioms, such as Martin’s Maximum++. In addition, we study the unbounded resurrection postulates in terms of consistency lower bounds, obtaining, for example, failures of the weak square principle.

On Colimits and Elementary Embeddings

We give a sharper version of a theorem of Rosický, Trnková and Adámek [13], and a new proof of a theorem of Rosický [12], both about colimits in categories of structures. Unlike the original proofs, which use category-theoretic methods, we use set-theoretic arguments involving elementary embeddings given by large cardinals such as α-strongly compact and C(n)-extendible cardinals.

Laver sequences for extendible and super-almost-huge cardinals

Versions of Laver sequences are known to exist for supercompact and strong cardinals. Assuming very strong axioms of infinity, Laver sequences can be constructed for virtually any globally defined large cardinal not weaker than a strong cardinal; indeed, under strong hypotheses. Laver sequences can be constructed for virtually any regular class of embeddings. We show here that if there is a regular class of embeddings with critical point κ, and there is an inaccessible above κ, then it is consistent for there to be a regular class that admits no Laver sequence. We also show that extendible cardinals are Laver-generating, i.e., that assuming only that κ is extendible, there is an extendible Laver sequence at κ. We use the method of proof to answer a question about Laver-closure of extendible cardinals at inaccessibles. Finally, we consider Laver sequences for super-almost-huge cardinals. Assuming slightly more than super-almost-hugeness, we show that there are super-almost-huge Laver sequences, improving the previously known upper bound for such Laver sequences. We also describe conditions under which the canonical construction of a Laver sequence fails for super-almost-huge cardinals.