Abstract:
In this thesis, we introduce the notion of fuzzy ideals in a more general context in universal
algebras by the use of ideal terms. Fuzzy ideals generated by a fuzzy set are characterized from
the fuzzy point of view as well as from the algebraic point of view. It is shown that the class
of fuzzy ideals of an algebra A of a given type F forms an algebraic closure fuzzy set system
together with the inclusion ordering of fuzzy sets. The commutator of fuzzy ideals in universal
algebras is defined as a common abstraction of the product of fuzzy normal subgroups in
groups, fuzzy ideals in rings, etc. Using this commutator, we define and characterize fuzzy
prime ideals, fuzzy semiprime ideals, maximal fuzzy ideals, the radical of fuzzy ideals and the
space of fuzzy prime ideals in universal algebras.
On the other hand, we deal with fuzzy congruence relations and their classes so-called fuzzy
congruence classes in universal algebras. We characterize fuzzy congruence relations generated
by a fuzzy relation and we give a representation for fuzzy congruence relations using crisp congruences.
Mainly, we make a theoretical study on fuzzy congruence classes of algebras in
different varieties. Several Mal’cev type characterizations are given for a fuzzy subset of an
algebra in a given variety to be a class of some fuzzy congruence. Particularly, finite characterizations
are given for fuzzy congruence classes in regular and permutable varieties.
We also introduce the notion of fuzzy cosets in universal algebras by the use of coset terms.
It is shown that, fuzzy ideas and more generally fuzzy congruence classes are the natural examples
of fuzzy cosets. But the converse does not hold in general. We give sufficient conditions
for fuzzy cosets to be a class of some fuzzy congruence relation. Moreover, the theory of fuzzy
cosets is applied to characterize permutable varieties.