While finitely generic dimension groups are known to admit no proper self-embeddings, these groups also have no automorphisms other than scalar multiplications, and every countable infinitely generic dimension group admits proper self-embeddings and has automorphisms other than scalar multiplications. The finite-forcing companion of the theory of dimension groups is recursively isomorphic to first-order arithmetic, the infinite-forcing companion of the theory of dimension groups is recursively isomorphic to second-order arithmetic, and the first-order theory of existentially closed dimension groups is a complete (...) $\Pi_{1}^{1}$-set. While many special properties of f.g. dimension groups may be realized in recursive e.c. dimension groups, and many special properties of i.g. dimension groups may be realized in hyperarithmetic e.c. dimension groups, no f.g. dimension group is arithmetic and no i.g. dimension group is analytical. Yet there is an f.g. dimension group recursive in first-order arithmetic, and there is an i.g. dimension group recursive in second-order arithmetic. (shrink)

Azriel Levy did fundamental work in set theory when it was transmuting into a modern, sophisticated field of mathematics, a formative period of over a decade straddling Cohen’s 1963 founding of forcing. The terms “Levy collapse”, “Levy hierarchy”, and “Levy absoluteness” will live on in set theory, and his technique of relative constructibility and connections established between forcing and definability will continue to be basic to the subject. What follows is a detailed account and analysis of Levy’s work and contributions (...) to set theory. (shrink)