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I've done a bit of reading around both Category Theory & Model Theory (CT & MT) as a novice in each field. I'm interested in how they might combine, particularly when applied to Algebra. [So far I've seen Lawvere Theories show up a lot.] What's the best way to learn them both?

[EDIT 2: What books (if any) introduce them both in detail?]

Here's my motivation: I'm fascinated by how different areas of Mathematics (and systems of Logic), particularly in Abstract Algebra, relate to one another and by how crucial certain axioms are in those relationships. I know this is quite vague but I've been chasing this stuff around for about a year; I know what it is I'm after when I see it, but I'm not knowledgeable enough (yet) to pin it down precisely. Category Theory & Model Theory (as well as Non-classical Logic) seem to hit the spot frequently.

EDIT: To make things easier/more precise, think of a kind of "mathematical KerPlunk," where the sticks are axioms and the marbles make up a (system of logic or) mathematical structure (with, say, red marbles for theorems, blue for definitions, etc.). If you remove (or change) certain sticks, what falls and why? Which marbles move? Do any change colour? Compare what you get with what you started with. How does the 'new' structure fit into the bigger picture? What are its 'neighbouring structures'? That's the kind of thing I'm interested in.

EDIT 3: Reverse Mathematics looks highly relevant but it's new to me. Is there any way I could get there via CT & MT?

EDIT 4: Suggestions on how to improve this question are welcome. I think Universal Algebra is relevant but I've replaced its tag with the Topos Theory one to narrow things down.

Shaun
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    I think the question is too vague to be answered as it stands. Try to clarify what you're looking for. – tomasz Oct 30 '13 at 00:14
  • @tomasz: I've tried. I guess I was hoping for help with that too . . . – Shaun Oct 30 '13 at 00:42
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    From what you've added, it sounds like you're interested in reverse mathematics... – tomasz Oct 30 '13 at 00:58
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    You will probably get a lot of suggestions on Reverse Mathematics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_mathematics). If that is not what you are interested in, you may want to edit your question to describe how what you want is different. If that is what you are looking for, great! You may be interested in the zoo (http://rmzoo.uconn.edu/). – ex0du5 Oct 30 '13 at 00:59
  • @ex0du5: Thank you! Reverse Mathematics does look like what I'm after (at least at face value) and the links are helpful. I'll be sure to dig deeper into it. However, I'm still keen to learn more about Category Theory & Model Theory together. I'll ask for some books in an edit and try to say something on Reverse Mathematics :) – Shaun Oct 30 '13 at 10:08
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    You might find the following books useful: http://books.google.com/books/about/Category_Theory.html?id=IK_sIDI2TCwC and http://books.google.com/books/about/Conceptual_Mathematics.html?id=o1tHw4W5MZQC – William DeMeo Oct 30 '13 at 22:52
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    I've just stumbled upon the term centipede mathematics $\ddot\smile$ – Shaun Dec 27 '13 at 11:32
  • Another term: "functorial model theory"! I might ask another question soon regarding this. – Shaun Feb 20 '14 at 11:03
  • The answers to this question on comparing CT & MT are very relevant. – Shaun Mar 08 '14 at 23:33

1 Answers1

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I've actually taught myself a fair bit of category theory and am currently learning model theory. My own historical route is probably not what I'd recommend: Robert Goldblatt's "Topoi" and Adamek et al. "Abstract and Concrete Categories", followed by Lawvere's "Sets for Mathematics" and Steve Awodey's "Category Theory". Probably doing that list entirely in reverse would be a gentler and saner approach.

I found the books on topos theory helped me a great deal, because I find set theory reasonably natural (ha) and it helped me relate categorical ideas to a category I had a fair sense for. I also made a project of doing all of Awodey's exercises, which are accessible with a relatively minimal grasp of set theory and abstract algebra. Also, whenever I ran across an interesting theorem that I could understand the meaning of, I stopped and tried the proof myself.

For model theory I'm using a combination of Goldblatt's book above, Chang & Keisler's "Model Theory" 3rd ed. and David Marker's "Model Theory: an Introduction." Model theory doesn't suit me as well as category theory, though, so I can't really recommend how to approach the material. I can say that Marker's a bit friendlier than Chang & Keisler. Multiple sources and doing lots of exercises doesn't hurt.

Hope this gives you some leads.

Malice Vidrine
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  • Perhaps Topos Theory is the way forward for me, then. Thank you! I might retag soon to include it at the expense of Universal Algebra, which would then go in the text. – Shaun Nov 02 '13 at 15:34
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    Goldblatt's book is nice for its focus being on the logical aspects of topoi, and for its attempt to lean on as little outside mathematics as necessary (particularly set theory). It sounds like you would get a lot out of it. – Malice Vidrine Nov 02 '13 at 15:46
  • I've read some of it from my local university library. It's brilliant, thank you! I've now ordered a copy $\ddot\smile$ – Shaun Feb 23 '14 at 18:27
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    Glad you found it interesting! That was something of a gateway book for me, so it's gratifying to see other people discovering it. – Malice Vidrine Feb 23 '14 at 18:42
  • I don't think Awodey's book is a good place to start; I've seen people try it, and have a lot of trouble. Peter Smith's blog has a fairly extensive criticism of its suitability as an introductory text. – MJD Mar 16 '14 at 16:13
  • That might be fair. It was not my introduction to category theory, though I'm not sure the books I was introduced by are much better for beginners. – Malice Vidrine Mar 16 '14 at 16:47