 Algebraic partially ordered sets are continuous

Let $K_x$ be the directed set of compact elements below $x$, with least upper bound $x$, and put $A_x=\{y:y\ll x\}$. A compact element $k\le x$ belongs to $A_x$: a directed set whose least upper bound is at least $x$ also has least upper bound at least $k$, so the definition of $k\ll k$ supplies an element above $k$. Hence $K_x\subseteq A_x$.

If $y_1,y_2\in A_x$, apply the way-below relation to $K_x$ to find $k_1,k_2\in K_x$ above them. Since $K_x$ is directed, it contains a common upper bound $k$ for $k_1,k_2$. This $k$ belongs to $A_x$, proving that $A_x$ is directed. Every member of $A_x$ is below $x$, while $K_x\subseteq A_x$ has least upper bound $x$. Therefore $x$ is the least upper bound of $A_x$, which is the defining property of a continuous poset.