back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 13543

[from 'Intermediate Logic' by David Bostock, in 8. Modes of Existence / A. Relations / 4. Formal Relations / a. Types of relation ]

Full Idea

It is easy to fall into the error of supposing that a relation which is both transitive and symmetrical must also be reflexive.

Gist of Idea

A relation is not reflexive, just because it is transitive and symmetrical

Source

David Bostock (Intermediate Logic [1997], 4.7)

Book Reference

Bostock,David: 'Intermediate Logic' [OUP 1997], p.176


A Reaction

Compare Idea 14430! Transivity will take you there, and symmetricality will get you back, but that doesn't entitle you to take the shortcut?

Related Idea

Idea 14430 If a relation is symmetrical and transitive, it has to be reflexive [Russell]