Universal Logic

Institution theory and Buddhist thinking

Razvan Diaconescu

Institute of Mathematics "Simion Stoilow" - Romania

The theory of ``institutions'' [1] is a categorical universal model theory, which originates from mathematical studies of software specification, and which formalises the intuitive notion of logical system, including syntax, semantics, and the satisfaction between them.It provides the most complete form of abstract model theory, free of commitementto any particular logic. Since it fulfills the ideals of universal logic, institution theoretic abstract model theory [2] can be regarded as a form of `universal model theory'. The institution theoretic view on logic and model theory is strongly related to the Shunyata doctrine of Mahayana Buddhism, in this case applied to the logic phenomena.

In this talk we give an overview of institution theoretic universal model theory and explain its relationship to the doctrine of Shunyata.

[1] Joseph Goguen and Rod Burstall. Institutions: Abstract model theory for specification and programming. Journal of the Association for Computing Machinery, 39(1):95--146, January 1992.

[2] R. Diaconescu. Institution-independent Model Theory. To appear. Book draft. (Ask author for current draft).

The theory of ``institutions'' [1] is a categorical universal model theory, which originates from mathematical studies of software specification, and which formalises the intuitive notion of logical system, including syntax, semantics, and the satisfaction between them.It provides the most complete form of abstract model theory, free of commitementto any particular logic. Since it fulfills the ideals of universal logic, institution theoretic abstract model theory [2] can be regarded as a form of `universal model theory'. The institution theoretic view on logic and model theory is strongly related to the Shunyata doctrine of Mahayana Buddhism, in this case applied to the logic phenomena.

In this talk we give an overview of institution theoretic universal model theory and explain its relationship to the doctrine of Shunyata.

[1] Joseph Goguen and Rod Burstall. Institutions: Abstract model theory for specification and programming. Journal of the Association for Computing Machinery, 39(1):95--146, January 1992.

[2] R. Diaconescu. Institution-independent Model Theory. To appear. Book draft. (Ask author for current draft).