Inconsistency of Reinhardt cardinals with $\mathsf{ZF}$

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Authors: Rupert McCallum
Cited by: 0

Abstract

A proof will be presented that the existence of a non-trivial $Σ_1$-elementary embedding $j: V_{λ+3} \prec V_{λ+3}$ is inconsistent with $\textsf{ZF}$. Sections 1 and 2 shall review various important contributions from the literature, notably including \cite{Goldberg2020}, \cite{Schlutzenberg2020}, and \cite{Woodin2010}, the latter reference being where the crucial forcing construction is presented. Section 3 shall introduce some new large cardinal properties, of consistency strength intermediate between $\mathsf{I_3}$ and $\mathsf{I_2}$, and greater than $\mathsf{I_1}$, respectively. The proof of the inconsistency with $\mathsf{ZF}$ of the existence of a non-trivial $Σ_1$-elementary embedding $j:V_{λ+3} \prec V_{λ+3}$ shall be given in Section 4. The claims of Sections 2 and 4 are provable in $\textsf{ZF}$; those of Section 3, with the exception of the last two theorems, in $\textsf{ZFC}$.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Advanced Topology and Set Theory Mathematical and Theoretical Analysis Rings Modules and Algebras

Publication details

Journal / source
arXiv (Cornell University)
Publication date
15 January 2026
Document type
Preprint