| Abstract: | The critical point between two classes \({{\mathcal K}}\) and \({{\mathcal L}}\) of algebras is the cardinality of the smallest semilattice isomorphic to the semilattice of compact congruences of some algebra in \({{\mathcal K}}\), but not in \({{\mathcal L}}\). Our paper is devoted to the problem of determining the critical point between two finitely generated congruence-distributive varieties. For a homomorphism \({\varphi: S \rightarrow T}\) of \({(0, \vee)}\)-semilattices and an automorphism \({\tau}\) of T, we introduce the concept of a \({\tau}\)-symmetric lifting of \({\varphi}\). We use it to prove a criterion which ensures that the critical point between two finitely generated congruence-distributive varieties is less or equal to \({\aleph_{1}}\). We illustrate the criterion by constructing two new examples with the critical point exactly \({\aleph_{1}}\). |
