We extend the existing HOL Light Library for Modal Systems (HOLMS) to support a modular implementation of modal reasoning within the HOL Light proof assistant. We deeply embed axiomatic calculi and relational semantics for seven normal modal logics (K, T, B, K4, S4, S5, GL) and formalise modal adequacy theorems for these systems. We then leverage those formalisations to implement a mechanism for automated reasoning via proof-search in the associated labelled sequent calculi, which we shallowly embed in HOL Light’s goal-stack mechanism. This way, we equip the general-purpose proof assistant with (semi)decision procedures for these logics that, in case of failure to construct a proof for the input formula, return a certified countermodel within the appropriate class for the logic under consideration. On the methodological side, we propose a precise measure of the modularity of our approach by systematically adopting Christopher Strachey’s distinction between ad hoc and parametric polymorphism throughout the library.

Abstract This paper presents a certified theorem prover for Grzegorczyk logic (Grz) implemented in the general-purpose proof assistant HOL Light. Our prover builds on original HOL Light formalisations of modal adequacy for Grz with respect to finite partially ordered frames, and on the standard full and faithful translation of Grz into Gödel–Löb logic (GL). This formalised embedding allows us to extend the range of modal systems supported by the HOLMS library for automated modal reasoning, and constitutes a new methodology experimented in our framework, being the first logic added to the library through a modal translation. The deductive engine performs an automated proof search in the labelled sequent calculus for GL. When the proof search on the translated formula succeeds, the system returns a HOL Light theorem certifying provability of the original Grz formula. When proof search terminates negatively, the system constructs a verified GL countermodel and thus certifies that the original formula is not provable in Grz.

By abstracting over well-known properties of De Bruijn's representation with nameless dummies, we design a new theory of syntax with variable binding and capture-avoiding substitution. We propose it as a simpler alternative to Fiore, Plotkin, and Turi's approach, with which we establish a strong formal link. We also show that our theory easily incorporates simple types and equations between terms.

Abstract We present our library for universal algebra in the UniMath framework dealing with multi-sorted signatures, their algebras and the basics for equation systems. We show how to implement term algebras over a signature without resorting to general inductive constructions (currently not allowed in UniMath) still retaining the computational nature of the definition. We prove that our single sorted ground term algebras are instances of homotopy W-types. From this perspective, the library enriches UniMath with a computationally well-behaved implementation of a class of W-types. Moreover, we give neat constructions of the univalent categories of algebras and equational algebras by using the formalism of displayed categories and show that the term algebra over a signature is the initial object of the category of algebras. Finally, we showcase the computational relevance of our work by sketching some basic examples from algebra and propositional logic.

Abstract We introduce our implementation in HOL Light of the metatheory for Gödel–Löb provability logic (GL), covering soundness and completeness w.r.t. possible world semantics and featuring a prototype of a theorem prover for GL itself. The strategy we develop here to formalise the modal completeness proof overcomes the technical difficulty due to the non-compactness of GL and is an adaptation—according to the formal language and tools at hand—of the proof given in George Boolos’ 1995 monograph. Our theorem prover for GL relies then on this formalisation, is implemented as a tactic of HOL Light that mimics the proof search in the labelled sequent calculus $$\textsf{G3KGL}$$ G3KGL , and works as a decision algorithm for the provability logic: if the algorithm positively terminates, the tactic succeeds in producing a HOL Light theorem stating that the input formula is a theorem of GL; if the algorithm negatively terminates, the tactic extracts a model falsifying the input formula. We discuss our code for the formal proof of modal completeness and the design of our proof search algorithm. Furthermore, we propose some examples of the latter’s interactive and automated use.

Abstract By abstracting over well-known properties of De Bruijn’s representation with nameless dummies, we design a new theory of syntax with variable binding and capture-avoiding substitution. We propose it as a simpler alternative to Fiore, Plotkin, and Turi’s approach, with which we establish a strong formal link. We also show that our theory easily incorporates simple types and equations between terms.

This work presents a formalized proof of modal completeness for Gödel-Löb provability logic (GL) in the HOL Light theorem prover. We describe the code we developed, and discuss some details of our implementation, focusing on our choices in structuring proofs which make essential use of the tools of HOL Light and which differ in part from the standard strategies found in main textbooks covering the topic in an informal setting. Moreover, we propose a reflection on our own experience in using this specific theorem prover for this formalization task, with an analysis of pros and cons of reasoning within and about the formal system for GL we implemented in our code.

Abstract We develop bicategory theory in univalent foundations. Guided by the notion of univalence for (1-)categories studied by Ahrens, Kapulkin, and Shulman, we define and study univalent bicategories. To construct examples of univalent bicategories in a modular fashion, we develop displayed bicategories, an analog of displayed 1-categories introduced by Ahrens and Lumsdaine. We demonstrate the applicability of this notion and prove that several bicategories of interest are univalent. Among these are the bicategory of univalent categories with families and the bicategory of pseudofunctors between univalent bicategories. Furthermore, we show that every bicategory with univalent hom-categories is weakly equivalent to a univalent bicategory. All of our work is formalized in Coq as part of the UniMath library of univalent mathematics.

In this work, we study reduction monads , which are essentially the same as monads relative to the free functor from sets into multigraphs. Reduction monads account for two aspects of the lambda calculus: on the one hand, in the monadic viewpoint, the lambda calculus is an object equipped with a well-behaved substitution; on the other hand, in the graphical viewpoint, it is an oriented multigraph whose vertices are terms and whose edges witness the reductions between two terms. We study presentations of reduction monads. To this end, we propose a notion of reduction signature . As usual, such a signature plays the role of a virtual presentation, and specifies arities for generating operations—possibly subject to equations—together with arities for generating reduction rules. For each such signature, we define a category of models; any model is, in particular, a reduction monad. If the initial object of this category of models exists, we call it the reduction monad presented (or specified) by the given reduction signature . Our main result identifies a class of reduction signatures which specify a reduction monad in the above sense. We show in the examples that our approach covers several standard variants of the lambda calculus.

We present a device for specifying and reasoning about syntax for datatypes, programming languages, and logic calculi. More precisely, we consider a general notion of "signature" for specifying syntactic constructions. Our signatures subsume classical algebraic signatures (i.e., signatures for languages with variable binding, such as the pure lambda calculus) and extend to much more general examples. In the spirit of Initial Semantics, we define the "syntax generated by a signature" to be the initial object - if it exists - in a suitable category of models. Our notions of signature and syntax are suited for compositionality and provide, beyond the desired algebra of terms, a well-behaved substitution and the associated inductive/recursive principles. Our signatures are "general" in the sense that the existence of an associated syntax is not automatically guaranteed. In this work, we identify a large and simple class of signatures which do generate a syntax. This paper builds upon ideas from a previous attempt by Hirschowitz-Maggesi, which, in turn, was directly inspired by some earlier work of Ghani-Uustalu-Hamana and Matthes-Uustalu. The main results presented in the paper are computer-checked within the UniMath system.