English

Building independence relations in abstract elementary classes

Logic 2016-08-29 v6

Abstract

We study general methods to build forking-like notions in the framework of tame abstract elementary classes (AECs) with amalgamation. We show that whenever such classes are categorical in a high-enough cardinal, they admit a good frame: a forking-like notion for types of singleton elements. Theorem\mathbf{Theorem} (Superstability from categoricity) Let KK be a (<κ)(<\kappa)-tame AEC with amalgamation. If κ=κ>LS(K)\kappa = \beth_\kappa > \text{LS} (K) and KK is categorical in a λ>κ\lambda > \kappa, then: * KK is stable in all cardinals κ\ge \kappa. * KK is categorical in κ\kappa. * There is a type-full good λ\lambda-frame with underlying class KλK_\lambda. Under more locality conditions, we prove that the frame extends to a global independence notion (for types of arbitrary length). Theorem\mathbf{Theorem} (A global independence notion from categoricity) Let KK be a densely type-local, fully tame and type short AEC with amalgamation. If KK is categorical in unboundedly many cardinals, then there exists λLS(K)\lambda \ge \text{LS} (K) such that KλK_{\ge \lambda} admits a global independence relation with the properties of forking in a superstable first-order theory. As an application, we deduce (modulo an unproven claim of Shelah) that Shelah's eventual categoricity conjecture for AECs (without assuming categoricity in a successor cardinal) follows from the weak generalized continuum hypothesis and a large cardinal axiom. Corollary\textbf{Corollary} Assume 2λ<2λ+2^{\lambda} < 2^{\lambda^+} for all cardinals λ\lambda, as well as an unpublished claim of Shelah. If there exists a proper class of strongly compact cardinals, then any AEC categorical in some high-enough cardinal is categorical in all high-enough cardinals.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1503.01366,
  title  = {Building independence relations in abstract elementary classes},
  author = {Sebastien Vasey},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1503.01366},
  year   = {2016}
}

Comments

96 pages. Was initially part of Infinitary stability theory (arXiv:1412.3313). Early versions were called "Independence in abstract elementary classes"

R2 v1 2026-06-22T08:44:22.574Z