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Single Idea 6339

[from 'Truth (2nd edn)' by Paul Horwich, in 5. Theory of Logic / E. Structures of Logic / 1. Logical Form ]

Full Idea

The logical forms of the sentences in a language are those aspects of their meanings that determine the relations of deductive entailment holding amongst them.

Clarification

An 'entailment' is a valid step in logical reasoning

Gist of Idea

Logical form is the aspects of meaning that determine logical entailments

Source

Paul Horwich (Truth (2nd edn) [1990], Ch.6.30)

Book Reference

Horwich,Paul: 'Truth (2nd edn)' [OUP 1998], p.88


A Reaction

A helpful definition. Not all sentences, therefore, need to have a 'logical form'. Is the logical form the same as the underlying proposition. The two must converge, given that propositions lack the ambiguity that is often found in sentences.