nLab dependent choice

Statement

 In set theory

In set theory, the axiom of dependent choice (DC) states that if $X$ is a nonempty (inhabited) set and if $R$ is a total binary relation on $X$, then there exists a sequence $x\colon \mathbb{N} \to X$ such that $(x_n, x_{n+1})$ belongs to $R$ for all $n \in \mathbb{N}$. It is strictly weaker than the full axiom of choice, but strictly stronger than the axiom of countable choice. It is called dependent choice because the available choices for $x_{n+1}$ depend on the choice of $x_n$ made at the previous stage.

 In dependent type theory

In dependent type theory, the axiom of dependent choice states that if $A$ is an inhabited set and if $R$ is a entire relation on $A$, then then there exists a sequence $a:\mathbb{N} \to A$ such that for all $n:\mathbb{N}$, $R(a(n), a(n + 1))$ holds.

$$\frac{\Gamma \vdash A \; \mathrm{type} \quad \Gamma \vdash x:A, y:A \vdash R(x, y) \; \mathrm{type}}{\Gamma \vdash \mathrm{DC}_\mathbb{N}^A:(\mathrm{isSet}(A) \times [A]) \to \left(\prod_{x:A} \left(\prod_{y:A} \mathrm{isProp}(R(x, y))\right) \times \exists y:A.R(x, y)\right) \to \exists a:\mathbb{N} \to A.\prod_{n:\mathbb{N}} R(a(n), a(n + 1))}$$

Applications

Typical applications of dependent choice include Kőnig's lemma? and the Baire category theorem for complete metric spaces.

Acceptability

For a number of schools of constructive mathematics, dependent choice is considered an acceptable alternative to full AC, and the principle holds (assuming that it holds in Set) in quite a few toposes of interest in which full AC doesn’t hold, including all presheaf toposes and the effective topos. In fact, it follows from the stronger presentation axiom, which holds in many of these toposes and also has a constructive justification.

Like countable choice, it fails for sheaves over the space of real numbers.

Related concepts

• axiom of choice

• axiom of countable choice

References

• Wikipedia, Axiom of dependent choice

category: foundational axiom