The generalized models for higher-order logics introduced by Leon Henkin and their multiple offspring over the years have become a standard tool in many areas of logic. Even so, discussion has persisted about their technical status, and perhaps even their conceptual legitimacy. This paper gives a systematic view of generalized model techniques, discusses what they mean in mathematical and philosophical terms, and presents a few technical themes and results about their role in algebraic representation, calibrating provability, lowering complexity, understanding fixed-point logics, and achieving set-theoretic absoluteness. We also show how thinking about Henkin’s approach to semantics of logical systems in this generality can yield new results, dispelling the impression of adhocness.
CITATION STYLE
Andréka, H., van Benthem, J., Bezhanishvili, N., & Németi, I. (2014). Changing a Semantics: Opportunism or Courage? In Studies in Universal Logic (pp. 307–337). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09719-0_20
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