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Single Idea 3094

[filed under theme 5. Theory of Logic / B. Logical Consequence / 5. Modus Ponens ]

Full Idea

We may say "From P and If-P-then-Q, infer Q" (modus ponens), but there is no rule of acceptance to say that we should accept Q. Maybe we should stop believing P or If-P-then-Q rather than believe Q.

Gist of Idea

You don't have to accept the conclusion of a valid argument

Source

Gilbert Harman (Thought [1973], 10.1)

Book Ref

Harman,Gilbert: 'Thought' [Princeton 1977], p.157


The 9 ideas with the same theme [rule that the entailment of a true formula is also true]:

Modus ponens is one of five inference rules identified by the Stoics [Chrysippus, by Devlin]
If our ideas are adequate, what follows from them is also adequate [Spinoza]
Demonstration always relies on the rule that anything implied by a truth is true [Russell]
You don't have to accept the conclusion of a valid argument [Harman]
MPP is a converse of Deduction: If Γ |- φ→ψ then Γ,φ|-ψ [Bostock]
MPP: 'If Γ|=φ and Γ|=φ→ψ then Γ|=ψ' (omit Γs for Detachment) [Bostock]
Intuitionism only sanctions modus ponens if all three components are proved [Shapiro]
In modus ponens the 'if-then' premise contributes nothing if the conclusion follows anyway [Read]
Deduction Theorem: ψ only derivable from φ iff φ→ψ are axioms [Horsten]