Single Idea 6879

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / B. Logical Consequence / 8. Material Implication]

Full Idea

'Material implication' is a term introduced by Russell which is defined as 'the conjunction of p and not-q is false', but carries a strong implication that p implies q, and so there must be some kind of connection between them, which is misleading.

Gist of Idea

'Material implication' is defined as 'not(p and not-q)', but seems to imply a connection between p and q

Source

Thomas Mautner (Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy [1996], p.270)

Book Reference

Mautner,Thomas: 'Dictionary of Philosophy' [Penguin 1997], p.270


A Reaction

Mautner says statements of the form 'if p then q' are better called 'conditionals' than 'material implications'. Clearly there is a need for more precise terminology here, as the underlying concepts seem simple enough.