# Re: Paper and slides on indefiniteness of CH

Dear Peter,

On Sun, 26 Oct 2014, Koellner, Peter wrote:

Dear Sy,

I have one more comment on choiceless large cardinal axioms that concerns $\textsf{IMH}^\#$.

It is worth pointing out that Hugh’s consistency proof of $\textsf{IMH}^\#$ shows a good deal more (as pointed out by Hugh):

Theorem: Assume that every real has a sharp. Then, in the hyperuniverse there exists a real $x_0$ such that every #-generated M to which $x_0$ belongs, satisfies $\textsf{IMH}^\#$ and in the following very strong sense:

(*) Every sentence $\phi$ which holds in a definable inner model of some #-generated model N, holds in a definable inner model of M.

There is no requirement here that N be an outer model of M. In this sense, $\textsf{IMH}^\#$ is not really about outer models. It is much more general.

It follows that not only is $\textsf{IMH}^\#$ consistent with all (choice) large cardinal axioms (assuming, of course, that they are consistent) but also that $\textsf{IMH}^\#$ is consistent with all choiceless large cardinal axioms (assuming, of course, that they are consistent).

The point is that $\textsf{IMH}^\#$ is powerless to provide us with insight into where inconsistency sets in.

Before you protest let me clarify: I know that you have not claimed otherwise! You take the evidence for consistency of large cardinal axioms to be entirely extrinsic.

I protest for a different reason: The above argument is too special to $\textsf{IMH}^\#$. For example, consider Hugh’s variant which he called $\textsf{IMH}^\#(\text{card arith})$. I don’t see how you argue as above with this stronger principle, which is known to be consistent, using my proof with Radek based on #-generated Jensen coding.

My point is simply to observe to everyone that $\textsf{IMH}^\#$ makes no predictions on this matter.

So what? How do you know that $\textsf{IMH}^\#(\text{card arith})$ makes no predictions on this matter?

And, more generally, I doubt that you think that the hyperuniverse program has the resources to make predictions on this question since you take evidence for consistency of large cardinal axioms to be extrinsic.

In contrast “V = Ultimate L” does make predictions on this question, in the following precise sense:

Theorem (Woodin). Assume the Ultimate L Conjecture. Then if there is an extendible cardinal then there are no Reinhardt cardinals.

Theorem (Woodin). Assume the Ultimate L Conjecture. Then there are no Super Reinhardt cardinals and there are no Berkeley cardinals.

Theorem (Woodin). Assume the Ultimate L Conjecture. Then if there is an extendible cardinal then there are no Reinhardt cardinals (or Super Reinhardt cardinals or Berkeley Cardinals, etc.)
(Here the Ultimate-L Conjecture is a conjectured theorem of ZFC.)

Interesting. (Did you intend there to be a difference between the first and third theorems above?)

But probably there’s a proof of no Reinhardt cardinals in ZF, even without Ultimate L:

Conjecture: In ZF, the Stable Core is rigid.

Note that V is generic over the Stable Core.

Best,
Sy