June 2003 A simple maximality principle
Joel David Hamkins
J. Symbolic Logic 68(2): 527-550 (June 2003). DOI: 10.2178/jsl/1052669062

Abstract

In this paper, following an idea of Christophe Chalons, I propose a new kind of forcing axiom, the Maximality Principle, which asserts that any sentence φ holding in some forcing extension $V\P$ and all subsequent extensions V\P*\Qdot holds already in V. It follows, in fact, that such sentences must also hold in all forcing extensions of V. In modal terms, therefore, the Maximality Principle is expressed by the scheme $(\possible\necessaryφ)\implies\necessaryφ$, and is equivalent to the modal theory S5. In this article, I prove that the Maximality Principle is relatively consistent with \ZFC. A boldface version of the Maximality Principle, obtained by allowing real parameters to appear in φ, is equiconsistent with the scheme asserting that $Vδ\elesub V$ for an inaccessible cardinal δ, which in turn is equiconsistent with the scheme asserting that $\ORD$ is Mahlo. The strongest principle along these lines is $\necessary\MPtilde$, which asserts that $\MPtilde$ holds in V and all forcing extensions. From this, it follows that 0# exists, that x# exists for every set x, that projective truth is invariant by forcing, that Woodin cardinals are consistent and much more. Many open questions remain.

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Joel David Hamkins. "A simple maximality principle." J. Symbolic Logic 68 (2) 527 - 550, June 2003. https://doi.org/10.2178/jsl/1052669062

Information

Published: June 2003
First available in Project Euclid: 11 May 2003

zbMATH: 1056.03028
MathSciNet: MR1976589
Digital Object Identifier: 10.2178/jsl/1052669062

Rights: Copyright © 2003 Association for Symbolic Logic

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Vol.68 • No. 2 • June 2003
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