more on this theme     |     more from this text


Single Idea 5741

[filed under theme 5. Theory of Logic / J. Model Theory in Logic / 1. Logical Models ]

Full Idea

In first-order predicate calculus validity is defined thus: an argument is valid iff every model that makes the premises of the argument true also makes the conclusion of the argument true.

Clarification

'Iff' means if and only if

Gist of Idea

If every model that makes premises true also makes conclusion true, the argument is valid

Source

Joseph Melia (Modality [2003], Ch.2)

Book Ref

Melia,Joseph: 'Modality' [Acumen 2003], p.48


A Reaction

See Melia Ch. 2 for an explanation of a 'model'. Traditional views of validity tend to say that if the premises are true the conclusion has to be true (necessarily), but this introduces the modal term 'necessarily', which is controversial.


The 17 ideas from Joseph Melia

'De re' modality is about things themselves, 'de dicto' modality is about propositions [Melia]
Possible worlds make it possible to define necessity and counterfactuals without new primitives [Melia]
In possible worlds semantics the modal operators are treated as quantifiers [Melia]
If possible worlds semantics is not realist about possible worlds, logic becomes merely formal [Melia]
We may be sure that P is necessary, but is it necessarily necessary? [Melia]
Predicate logic has connectives, quantifiers, variables, predicates, equality, names and brackets [Melia]
Second-order logic needs second-order variables and quantification into predicate position [Melia]
If every model that makes premises true also makes conclusion true, the argument is valid [Melia]
Maybe names and predicates can capture any fact [Melia]
Sometimes we want to specify in what ways a thing is possible [Melia]
No sort of plain language or levels of logic can express modal facts properly [Melia]
First-order predicate calculus is extensional logic, but quantified modal logic is intensional (hence dubious) [Melia]
The Identity of Indiscernibles is contentious for qualities, and trivial for non-qualities [Melia]
We accept unverifiable propositions because of simplicity, utility, explanation and plausibility [Melia]
Consistency is modal, saying propositions are consistent if they could be true together [Melia]
Possible worlds could be real as mathematics, propositions, properties, or like books [Melia]
The truth of propositions at possible worlds are implied by the world, just as in books [Melia]