Iowa Type Theory Commute

Extensional Martin-Loef Type Theory

February 03, 2023 Aaron Stump Season 4 Episode 6
Extensional Martin-Loef Type Theory
Iowa Type Theory Commute
More Info
Iowa Type Theory Commute
Extensional Martin-Loef Type Theory
Feb 03, 2023 Season 4 Episode 6
Aaron Stump

In this episode, I discuss the basic distinguishing rule of Extensional Martin-Loef Type Theory, namely equality reflection.  This rule says that propositional equality implies definitional equality.  Algorithmically, it would imply that the type checker should do arbitrary proof search during type checking, to see if two expressions are definitionally equal.  This immediately gives us undecidability of type checking for the theory, at least as usually realized.

Show Notes

In this episode, I discuss the basic distinguishing rule of Extensional Martin-Loef Type Theory, namely equality reflection.  This rule says that propositional equality implies definitional equality.  Algorithmically, it would imply that the type checker should do arbitrary proof search during type checking, to see if two expressions are definitionally equal.  This immediately gives us undecidability of type checking for the theory, at least as usually realized.