Schemata and Their Applications

Schemata are formal tools for describing inductive reasoning. They opened a new area in the analysis of inductive proofs. The book introduces schemata for first-order terms, first-order formulas, and first-order inference systems.

Extension of the CERES Method

Based on general first-order schemata, the cut-elimination-by-resolution (CERES) method—developed around the year 2000—is extended to schematic proofs. This extension requires the development of schematic methods for resolution and unification which are defined in this book.

Value of Proof Schemata

The added value of proof schemata compared to other inductive approaches consists in the extension of Herbrand’s theorem to inductive proofs (in the form of Herbrand systems, which can be constructed effectively). An application to an analysis of mathematical proof is given.

Recent Results and Core Topics

The work also contains and extends the newest results on schematic unification and corresponding algorithms.

Core topics covered:

• first-order schemata
• cut-elimination by resolution
• point transition systems
• schematic resolution
• Herbrand systems
• inductive proof analysis

Target Audience and Prerequisites

This volume is the first comprehensive work on first-order schemata and their applications. As such, it will be eminently suitable for researchers and PhD students in logic and computer science either working or with an interest in proof theory, inductive reasoning, and automated deduction.

Prerequisites are a firm knowledge of first-order logic, basic knowledge of automated deduction, and a background in theoretical computer science.

Author Affiliations

Alexander Leitsch and Anela Lolic are affiliated with the Institute of Logic and Computation of the Technische Universität Wien, David M. Cerna with the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Computer Science (Ústav informatiky AV CR, v.v.i.).