Higher Dimensional Aspects of First-Order Logic

Objective

First-order logic is the foundational formal language used to express almost all of modern mathematics, and improved understanding of this logic is linked to many recent advances in mathematics. Consequently, there is a well-developed framework to study first-order logic within the mathematical discipline of 1-dimensional category theory. However, there are still many important and yet unexplored aspects of first-order logic that only emerge in 2-dimensional category theory. My research has uncovered new descriptions of the syntax and semantics of first-order logic as algebraic structures for a pseudo-monad, a mathematical gadget found in 2-dimensional category theory. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the HiDimAFOL project will establish new results concerning the higher dimensional aspects of first-order logic by investigating the pseudo-monads related to the syntax and semantics of first-order logic. The project will deepen our understanding of first-order logic and lead to new mathematical applications on the interface of algebraic logic, categorical logic and model theory. By highlighting the applications of higher dimensional category theory to mathematical logic, we will promote unity among the various logical traditions that exist in mathematics.