The weak ultrafilter axiom (Q5964939)

The expression \textit{axiom \(I_0\) holds at \(\lambda\)}, or axiom \(I_0^\lambda\), denotes the statement ``there is a nontrivial elementary embedding \(j: L(V_{\lambda +1})\to L(V_{\lambda +1})\) with critical point below \(\lambda\).'' Axiom \(I_0^\lambda\) implies that \(L(V_{\lambda +1})\) possesses a rich structure theory. In fact, the structure theory of \(L(V_{\lambda +1})\) under axiom \(I_0^\lambda\) is analogous to the structure theory to \(L(\mathbb{R})\) under the assumption that the AD holds in \(L(\mathbb{R})\). Recall that \(L(\mathbb{R})=L(V_{\omega +1})\) and that AD is an abbreviation for the axiom of determinacy. In the paper under review, Woodin first explains why a complete and detailed structure theory of \(L(V_{\lambda +1})\) cannot be obtained under axiom \(I_0^\lambda\) alone. This explanation identifies some ambiguities in \(L(V_{\lambda +1})\) concerning the club filter at \(\lambda^+\). The key difficulty in specifying the structure of \(L(V_{\lambda +1})\), under axiom \(I_0^\lambda\), is that forcing with a partial order in \(V_\lambda\) can affect the structure theory of \(L(V_{\lambda +1})\) while preserving axiom \(I_0^\lambda\). This deficiency motivates two enhancements of axiom \(I_0^\lambda\). The \textit{ultrafilter axiom at \(\lambda\)} asserts that axiom \(I_0^\lambda\) holds and that for each infinite regular cardinal \(\gamma<\lambda\), the club filter at \(\lambda^+\), as defined in \(L(V_{\lambda +1})\), is an ultrafilter on the set \(S^{\lambda^+}_\gamma=\{\beta\in \lambda^+ : \operatorname{cof}(\beta)=\gamma\}\). The \textit{weak ultrafilter axiom at \(\lambda\)} proclaims that axiom \(I_0^\lambda\) holds and that for each infinite regular cardinal \(\gamma<\lambda\), there is a partition \(\langle S_\alpha : \alpha\in\eta\rangle\) of \(S^{\lambda^+}_\gamma\) into at most \(\gamma^+\) many sets such that for all \(\alpha\in\eta\), the club filter at \(\lambda^+\), as defined in \(L(V_{\lambda +1})\), is an ultrafilter on \(S_\alpha\). The ultrafilter axiom at \(\lambda\) is not known to be consistent; however, Theorem 16, of this paper, shows that if axiom \(I_0^\lambda\) is consistent, then axiom \(I_0^\lambda\) is consistent with the weak ultrafilter axiom at \(\lambda\). On the other hand, Theorem 31, of this paper, has the following form: Assume (1) certain large cardinal axioms, (2) \(\Gamma^\infty=\mathcal{P}(\mathbb{R})\cap L(\Gamma^\infty)\), where \(\Gamma^\infty\) is the set of universally Baire sets, (3) a particular determinacy hypothesis (see page 326 and Section 5). Let \(\mathbb{M}\) be an \(A_0\)-model (see Definition 26) and let \(\delta_0\) be the least Woodin cardinal in \(\mathbb{M}\). Then the following holds in \(\mathbb{M}\): For all \(\lambda>\delta_0\), if \(\lambda\) is a singular strong limit cardinal of countable cofinality and axiom \(I_0\) holds at \(\lambda\), then the weak ultrafilter axiom fails at \(\lambda\). One can conclude that in all non-strategic models, assuming fairly general conditions on these models, the weak ultrafilter axiom must fail at all \(\lambda\) where where axiom \(I_0\) holds at \(\lambda\).