English

Two-variable logic has weak, but not strong, Beth definability

Logic 2021-02-03 v3

Abstract

We prove that the two-variable fragment of first-order logic has the weak Beth definability property. This makes the two-variable fragment a natural logic separating the weak and the strong Beth properties since it does not have the strong Beth definability property.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2010.00901,
  title  = {Two-variable logic has weak, but not strong, Beth definability},
  author = {H. Andréka and I. Németi},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2010.00901},
  year   = {2021}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-23T18:57:49.835Z