English

On first-order arithmetic truth

General Mathematics 2026-05-13 v12

Abstract

The standard interpretation of first-order number theory (PA), according to the generally accepted view, associates well-defined set-theoretic entities with each and every well-formed formula of this system. But this implies that the class of PA theorems is semantically defined by a class sign of PA itself, (E x_2) Pf(x_2, x_1), in the following sense: with b' the PA numeral for the number b, (E x_2) Pf(x_2, b') is true under the standard interpretation if and only if b is the Godel number of a PA theorem. From this however it is easily established, by a modification of Godel's proof, that the class of PA theorems, and hence the standard interpretation of PA itself, is not well defined after all.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1105.0321,
  title  = {On first-order arithmetic truth},
  author = {Stephen Boyce},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1105.0321},
  year   = {2026}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-21T18:01:25.543Z