Model Existence Theorem #
This file states the model existence theorem for Lω₁ω: any set of sentences that belongs to a consistency property has a countable model.
Main Results #
model_existence: If S is consistent (belongs to a consistency property), then S has a countable model. (Marker Theorem 4.1.2 / Keisler)
References #
Model Existence Theorem for Lω₁ω (Marker Theorem 4.1.2).
If a countable set S of Lω₁ω sentences in a countable language belongs to a consistency property with equality axioms, then S has a countable model.
The proof proceeds by a Henkin-style construction:
- Extend the language with countably many new constants
- Extend S to a maximal consistent set S* using a priority argument
- Build a term model from S*
- Verify the model satisfies all sentences in S
The countability assumptions on the language and S are essential: without them, a consistent set like {c_i ≠ c_j | i ≠ j} for uncountably many constants can force any model to be uncountable.
This is the fundamental model-building tool for infinitary logic.
A consistent countable theory in a countable language has a countable model.
This is a direct corollary of model existence.