Most areas of logic can be approached either semantically or syntactically. Typically, the approaches are linked through a completeness or representation theorem. The two kinds of theorem serve a similar purpose, yet there also seems to be some residual distinction between them. In what respects do they differ, and how important are the differences? Can we have one without the other? We discuss...

Most areas of logic can be approached either semantically or syntactically. Typically, the approaches are linked through a completeness or representation theorem. The two kinds of theorem serve a similar purpose, yet there also seems to be some residual distinction between them. In what respects do they differ, and how important are the differences? Can we have one without the other? We discuss...

The notions of 2-precontact and 2-contact spaces as well as of extensional (and other kinds) 3-precontact and 3-contact spaces are introduced. Using them, new representation theorems for the precontact and contact algebras (satisfying some additional axioms) are proved. They incorporate and strengthen both the discrete and topological representation theorems from [3, 1, 2, 4, 10]. It is shown t...

Representation theorems are often taken to provide the foundations for decision theory. First, they are taken to characterize degrees of belief and utilities. Second, they are taken to justify two fundamental rules of rationality: that we should have probabilistic degrees of belief and that we should act as expected utility maximizers. We argue that representation theorems cannot serve either o...