Almost free algebras (Q1804800)

An infinite algebra in a variety \({\mathcal V}\) is said to be almost free if all its subalgebras of smaller cardinality are free. \textit{S. Shelah} proved [Isr. J. Math. 21, 319-349 (1975; Zbl 0369.02034)] that an almost free algebra of singular cardinality is free. In the paper under review the authors study the class of cardinals \(\kappa\) in which a given variety \({\mathcal V}\) has an almost free, essentially non-free algebra. (An algebra \(A\) is said to be essentially non-free if there is no free algebra \(F\) such that \(A*F\) is free.) It turns out that, under certain conditions on \(\kappa\), the existence of an almost free, essentially non- free algebra of cardinality \(\kappa\) in \({\mathcal V}\) is connected with certain purely algebraic `\(n\)-construction principles' for \({\mathcal V}\), \(n<\omega\). The authors study this connection.