Unconditional basic sequences in spaces of large density (Q626112)

The authors study the problem of the existence of unconditional basic sequences in Banach spaces of high density. Let \(\mathfrak{n}\mathfrak{c}\) be the minimal cardinal such that every Banach space of density at least \(\mathfrak{n}\mathfrak{c}\) contains an infinite unconditional basic sequence. By \textit{J.~Ketonen} [Fund. Math., 81, 291--303 (1974; Zbl 0288.46015)], \(\mathfrak{n}\mathfrak{c}\leq \kappa(\omega)\), where \(\kappa(\omega)\) is the \(\omega\)-Erdős cardinal. On the other hand, \(\mathfrak{n}\mathfrak{c}> 2^{\aleph_0}\), cf. \textit{S. A. Argyros} and \textit{A. Tolias} [``Methods in the theory of hereditarily indecomposable Banach spaces'', Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 806 (2004; Zbl 1055.46004)]. The main result of the paper under review is the following: It is consistent that \(\mathfrak{n}\mathfrak{c}\leq \aleph_{\omega}\) and that every Banach space of density at least \(\aleph_{\omega}\) has a separable quotient with an unconditional basis. A close examination of this consistency proof suggests that, for some classes of Banach spaces, e.g., for WCG spaces, one might get more exact estimates for \(\mathfrak{n}\mathfrak{c}\). Similar results are obtained for weakly null (uncountable) sequences. The authors also note that combination of results in \textit{S. Todorcevic} [Math. Ann., 335 (3), 687--715 (2006; Zbl 1112.46015)] and \textit{P. Dodos}, \textit{J. Lopez Abad} and \textit{S. Todorcevic} [``Partition ideals below \(\aleph_{\omega}\)'', Preprint] shows that for every positive integer \(k\) there is a generic extension of the universe of sets in which every Banach space of density at most \(\aleph_k\) or at least \(\aleph_{\omega}\) has a separable quotient. In fact, Ketonen's result mentioned above states that every Banach space of density at least \(\kappa(\omega)\) contains an infinite sub-symmetric basic sequence. The proof in the paper under review does not guarantee the existence of a sub-symmetric basic sequence. The authors expect that there are (Tsirelson-like) Banach spaces of large density not containing a sub-symmetric basic sequence.