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Constructive Zermelo's Problem

A choice function over a set EE is a function ff that assigns to every non-empty subset of EE one of its elements (of the subset). If EE is in fact a Σ\Sigma-structure, we say that ff is regular if it can be defined by an MSO[Σ\Sigma] formula φ(X,x)\varphi(X,x), where the first variable XX refers to subsets, and the second variable xx i.e. refers to elements. Naturally, if a Σ\Sigma-structure admits a well-order which can be defined by an MSO[Σ\Sigma] formula ψ(x,y)\psi(x,y), then one can define such a choice function φ(X,x)\varphi(X,x) that says "I take the least element of X with respect to ψ\psi". The problem, originally stated in my PhD, asks if the reciprocal is true: if a Σ\Sigma-structure EE admits a regular choice function φ(X,x)\varphi(X,x), does it necessarily also admit a regular well order ψ(x,y)\psi(x,y)? I conjecture that it is the case. Moreover, I have also hope for a strengthened constructive version, stated as follow: Conjecture : Let Σ\Sigma be a signature. There exists a procedure that inputs an MSO[Σ\Sigma] formula φ(X,x)\varphi(X,x) and outputs another one, ψ(x,y)\psi(x,y), such that for every Σ\Sigma-structure EE, if φ(X,x)\varphi(X,x) is a regular choice function over EE then ψ(x,y)\psi(x,y) is a regular well order over EE.

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Boyuan Wang portraitBoyuan Wang
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