Fundamentals of Stability Theory

This introduction to first order stability theory, organized around the spectrum problem, contains the first publication of complete proofs of the Vaught conjecture for ω-stable theories and Shelah's infamous example showing the necessity of his methods to solve the conjecture.

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Since their inception, the Perspectives in Logic and Lecture Notes in Logic series have published seminal works by leading logicians. Many of the original books in the series have been unavailable for years, but they are now in print once again. In this volume, the twelfth publication in the Perspectives in Logic series, John T. Baldwin presents an introduction to first order stability theory, organized around the spectrum problem: calculate the number of models a first order theory T has in each uncountable cardinal. The author first lays the groundwork and then moves on to three sections: independence, dependence and prime models, and local dimension theory. The final section returns to the spectrum problem, presenting complete proofs of the Vaught conjecture for ω-stable theories for the first time in book form. The book provides much-needed examples, and emphasizes the connections between abstract stability theory and module theory.