Some topics in set theory

Abstract

This thesis is divided into two parts. In the first of these we consider Ackermann-type set theories and many of our results concern natural models.

We prove a number of results about the existence of natural models of Ackermann's set theory, A, and applications of this work are shown to answer several questions raised by Reinhardt in [56]. A+ (introduced in [56]) is another Ackermann-type set theory and we show that its set theoretic part is precisely ZF. Then we introduce the notion of natural models of A + and show how our results on natural models of A extend to these models. There are a number of results about other Ackermann-type set theories and some of the work which was already known for ZF is extended to A. This includes permutation models, which are shown to answer another of Reinhardt's questions.

In the second part we consider the different approaches to set theory; dealing mainly with the more philosophical aspects. We reconsider Cantor's work, suggest that it has frequently been misunderstood and indicate how quasi-constructive set theories seem to use a definite part of Cantor's earlier ideas. Other approaches to set theory are also considered and criticised. The section on NF includes some more technical observations on ordered pairs.

There is also an appendix, in which we outline some results on extended ordinal arithmetic.