On Kim-Independence

We study NSOP$_{1}$ theories. We define Kim-independence, which generalizes non-forking independence in simple theories and corresponds to non-forking at a generic scale. We show that Kim-independence satisfies a version of Kim's lemma, local character, symmetry, and an independence theorem and that, moreover, these properties individually characterize NSOP$_{1}$ theories. We describe Kim-independence in several concrete theories and observe that it corresponds to previously studied notions of independence in Frobenius fields and vector spaces with a generic bilinear form.