Skip to main content
  • Textbook
  • © 2018

Mathematical Logic

On Numbers, Sets, Structures, and Symmetry

Authors:

  • Presents an introduction to formal mathematical logic and set theory
  • Presents simple yet nontrivial results in modern model theory
  • Provides introductory remarks to all results, including a historical background

Part of the book series: Springer Graduate Texts in Philosophy (SGTP, volume 3)

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.

Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
  2. Logic, Sets, and Numbers

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. First-Order Logic

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 3-17
    3. Logical Seeing

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 19-31
    4. What Is a Number?

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 33-39
    5. Seeing the Number Structures

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 41-56
    6. Set Theory

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 71-79
  3. Relations, Structures, Geometry

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 81-81
    2. Relations

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 83-95
    3. Definable Elements and Constants

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 97-104
    4. Minimal and Order-Minimal Structures

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 105-113
    5. Geometry of Definable Sets

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 115-129
    6. Where Do Structures Come From?

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 131-138
    7. Elementary Extensions and Symmetries

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 139-144
    8. Tame vs. Wild

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 145-150
    9. First-Order Properties

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 151-155
    10. Suggestions for Further Reading

      • Roman Kossak
      Pages 167-168
  4. Back Matter

    Pages 169-186

About this book

This book, presented in two parts, offers a slow introduction to mathematical logic, and several basic concepts of model theory, such as first-order definability, types, symmetries, and elementary extensions.

Its first part, Logic Sets, and Numbers, shows how mathematical logic is used to develop the number structures of classical mathematics. The exposition does not assume any prerequisites; it is rigorous, but as informal as possible. All necessary concepts are introduced exactly as they would be in a course in mathematical logic; but are accompanied by more extensive introductory remarks and examples to motivate formal developments.

The second part, Relations, Structures, Geometry, introduces several basic concepts of model theory, such as first-order definability, types, symmetries, and elementary extensions, and shows how they are used to study and classify mathematical structures. Although more advanced, this second part is accessible to the reader who is either already familiar with basic mathematical logic, or has carefully read the first part of the book. Classical developments in model theory, including the Compactness Theorem and its uses, are discussed. Other topics include  tameness, minimality, and order minimality of structures.

The book can be used as an introduction to model theory, but unlike standard texts, it does not require familiarity with abstract algebra. This book will also be of interest to mathematicians who know the technical aspects of the subject, but are not familiar with its history and philosophical background. 

Reviews

“Remembering how impenetrable textbooks on mathematical logic were when he was a freshman, the author has written an introductory textbook on mathematical logic, whose main strength is the emphasis on motivating every step with detailed explanations. … The author has clearly succeeded in writing a textbook making the reading of those impenetrable texts possible for a beginner.” (Victor V. Pambuccian, zbMATH 06945597, 2021)

“This fun book can be viewed as a very gentle introduction to the notion of mathematical structure, and hence to model theory. … Each chapter concludes with a selection of exercises of varying degrees of difficulty, often asking the reader to establish facts. Apart from the uses suggested on the book's cover, I can well imagine teaching an introduction to proof class with this textbook.” (Jana Maříková, Mathematical Reviews, March 2021)

“The author has made a significant effort to present the (not so easy) material in an understandable way … . I am sure that readers of this well-written book will experience many such satisfying moments.” (Temur Kutsia, Computing Reviews, September 11, 2019)

“Such modesty and humility. Wow. Here is an outstanding book. In the beginning, we learn of the difficulties the author encountered as a student while learning some of the very topics he writes about in this book. So successfully has the author conquered his youthful difficulties that model theory is now his research specialty and is also an important component of this book.” (Dennis W. Gordon, MAA Reviews, May 19, 2019)





Authors and Affiliations

  • City University of New York, New York, USA

    Roman Kossak

About the author

Roman Kossak is a Professor of Mathematics at the City University of New York. He does research in model theory of formal arithmetic. He has published 36 research papers and co-authored a monograph on the subject for the Oxford Logic Guides series. His other interests include philosophy of mathematics, phenomenology of perception, and interactions between mathematics philosophy and the arts.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access