17 Whistle Stop Tour of Stability Theory

Definition 17.1. Given κ|L|+0, we say T is κ-stable if for any MT, |M|=κ we have |S1(M)|=κ.

We say T is stable if it is κ-stable for some κ.

Example.

PIC

Fact: 0-stable theories have saturated models of all infinite cardinalities.

Definition 17.2. Let φ(x,y) be an L-formula, x,y types of finite length.

We say φ(x,y) has the order property with respect to T if there is some MT, (ai)i0, (bj)j0 such that Mφ(ai,bj) if and only if i<j.

Example. DLO has the order property, choose (,<)=M and ai=bi=i as your sequence.

Theorem 17.3 (Fundamental Theorem of Stability (light)). The following are equivalent:

  • (i)
    T is stable.
  • (ii)
    No L-formula has the order property with respect to T.
  • (iii)
    For any MT, every pSn(M) is definable.
  • (iv)
    Non-forking is an independence relation.

Definition 17.4. A theory T is strongly minimal if MT every definable subset of M is finite or cofinite.

Remark. T strongly minimal implires T is stable (count types).

Definition 17.5. Let MT, AM. Then bacl(A) if there is an LA-formula ϕ(x) such that

Mx=nϕ(x)

and Mϕ(b).

Example 17.6. Let T be strongly minimal. Then acl has the exchange property:

aacl(Bc)acl(B)cacl(Ba).

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