On the section conjecture over function fields and finitely generated fields

Abstract: We investigate sections of arithmetic fundamental groups of hyperbolic curves over function fields. As a consequence we prove that the anabelian section conjecture of Grothendieck holds over all finitely generated fields over $\Bbb Q$ if it holds over all number fields, under the condition of finiteness (of the $\ell$-primary parts) of certain Shafarevich-Tate groups. We also prove that if the section conjecture holds over all number fields then it holds over all finitely generated fields for curves which are defined over a number field.