Combining Philosophers

Ideas for H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim, Theodore Sider and Prodicus

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3 ideas

5. Theory of Logic / I. Semantics of Logic / 1. Semantics of Logic
Valuations in PC assign truth values to formulas relative to variable assignments [Sider]
     Full Idea: A valuation function in predicate logic will assign truth values to formulas relative to variable assignments.
     From: Theodore Sider (Logic for Philosophy [2010], 4.2)
     A reaction: Sider observes that this is a 'double' relativisation (due to Tarski), since propositional logic truth was already relative to an interpretation. Now we are relative to variable assignments as well.
5. Theory of Logic / I. Semantics of Logic / 3. Logical Truth
The semantical notion of a logical truth is validity, being true in all interpretations [Sider]
     Full Idea: The semantical notion of a logical truth is that of a valid formula, which is true in all interpretations. In propositional logic they are 'tautologies'.
     From: Theodore Sider (Logic for Philosophy [2010], 2.3)
     A reaction: This implies that there is a proof-theoretic account of logical truth as well. Intuitively a logical truth is a sequent which holds no matter which subject matter it refers to, so the semantic view sounds OK.
It is hard to say which are the logical truths in modal logic, especially for iterated modal operators [Sider]
     Full Idea: It isn't clear which formulas of modal propositional logic are logical truths, ...especially for sentences that contain iterations of modal operators. Is □P→□□P a logical truth? It's hard to say.
     From: Theodore Sider (Logic for Philosophy [2010], 6.3)
     A reaction: The result, of course, is that there are numerous 'systems' for modal logic, so that you can choose the one that gives you the logical truths you want. His example is valid in S4 and S5, but not in the others.