\(\aleph_n\)-free modules with trivial duals (Q732747)

This paper proves in ZFC a new version of a combinatorial principle called a Black Box. This prediction principle is then used to prove for any natural number \(n>0\) the existence of an \(\aleph_n\)-free abelian group \(M\) of size \(\beth_n\) which has a trivial dual, that is, \(\text{Hom}(M, \mathbb{Z})=0\). Assuming G.C.H, we have such a group of size \(\aleph_n\). This result, and various generalizations, were already known for \(n=1\), without any extra set-theoretic hypothesis, but it was known that one cannot prove in ZFC the existence of an \(\aleph_2\)-free abelian group of cardinality \(\aleph_2\) with a trivial dual. The paper includes a brief history of previous results in this area. The main theorem is proved in a more general form for modules over certain rings. Another version of the main results of this paper is given in an earlier paper of the second author [Cubo 9, No. 2, 59--79 (2007; Zbl 1144.03034)].