seminar

Duality via Truth
by Prof Ingrid Rewitzky, University of Stellenbosch

Tuesday 24 May 2005, 16h00, M 111 (Seminar Room)

Abstract

A type of duality - duality via truth - between classes of algebras and classes of relational systems (frames) is presented. Both classes are defined axiomatically, so they are presented at the same level of abstraction. In Stone or Priestley duality theory a class of algebras is defined in an abstract way with a set of axioms, but dual spaces can be seen as 'concrete' objects whose definition is explicitly given. Our approach is to view algebras and frames as being semantic structures for formal languages. Having a semantics we are able to define a concept of truth of formulae of a formal language. A duality principle for establishing duality via truth says that a given class of algebras and a class of frames provide equivalent semantics of a formal language whose signature coincides with the signature of the algebras in question. Consequently, the algebras and the frames express equivalent notions of truth. As examples of duality via truth we will consider two ways of associating a frame with a lattice.

(Joint work with Prof Ewa Orlowska, National Institute of Telecommunications in Warsaw, funded by the NRF and SA-Poland bilateral cooperation.)

© 2005 Vasco Brattka