flowchart TD
I["Interpretation in PL"] --> I2["Assigns T or F to propositional letters"]
I2 --> V["Valuation in PL"]
V --> V2["Assigns T or F to well-formed formulas"]
CH2 - Slides
PL — Symbols, Syntax, and Semantics
PL: The Language of Propositional Logic
PL is a formal language used to study logic. It is comprised of:
- a set of symbols—its alphabet;
- a syntax—its grammar, expressed as formation rules; and
- a semantics—rules for assigning truth values such as \(T\) and \(F\) to well-formed formulas.
PL: Symbols
PL consists of the following symbols:
- An infinite number of propositional letters: uppercase Roman letters, with or without subscripted integers, such as \(A_1, A_2, A_3, B, C, \ldots, Z\).
- Five truth-functional operators: \(\vee, \rightarrow, \leftrightarrow, \neg,\wedge\)
- A left and right parenthesis:
(and)to indicate the scope of truth-functional operators.
PL - Syntax
PL Formation Rules
PL Formation Rules Listed
- Every propositional letter of PL, such as \(A, B, C\), is a wff.
- If \(\phi\) is a wff, then \(\neg(\phi)\) is a wff.
- If \(\phi\) and \(\psi\) are wffs, then \((\phi\wedge\psi)\) is a wff.
- If \(\phi\) and \(\psi\) are wffs, then \((\phi\vee\psi)\) is a wff.
- If \(\phi\) and \(\psi\) are wffs, then \((\phi\rightarrow\psi)\) is a wff.
- If \(\phi\) and \(\psi\) are wffs, then \((\phi\leftrightarrow\psi)\) is a wff.
- Nothing else is a wff except what can be formed by repeated applications of rules 1–6.
Using the Formation Rules
Let’s construct \((\neg (P)\land Q)\)
Wffs in PL
- \(P\)
- \(\neg (P)\)
- \((P\rightarrow Q)\)
- \(\neg((P\vee\neg(Q)))\)
- \(\neg(\neg(P\wedge\neg(Q)))\)
Not wffs in PL
- \(P\neg\)
- \(PQ\)
- \(\vee\neg(Q)\)
- \(\neg\neg P\wedge\neg Q\vee S\)
Exercise
See book, Ex. 2.10, pp.47
Three Types of Wffs: Atomic Wffs
Examples:
- \(P\)
- \(Q\)
- \(A\)
- \(B_{12}\)
Three Types of Wffs: Complex Wffs
Examples:
- \(\neg(P)\)
- \((P\wedge Q)\)
- \((P\rightarrow\neg(A))\)
- \((A_1\rightarrow B_8)\)
Literal Wffs
Examples:
- \(P\)
- \(\neg(P)\)
- \(Q\)
- \(\neg(Q_1)\)
Exercise
See book, Ex. 2.11, pp.49
Subformulas and Proper Parts
Let \(\phi\) and \(\psi\) be any PL-wffs.
Examples
- \((P\vee Q)\)
- \((\neg(P)\vee Q)\)
- \(P\)
Exercises
See book, Ex. 2.12, pp.51
Operator Occurrences
- Notice that there are two \(\neg\)’s in \(\neg(\neg(P)\rightarrow Q)\)
- Each \(\neg\) is called an occurrence of the NOT operator.
- identify an occurrence using whatever description is clearest:
- “the leftmost NOT”
- “the NOT next to \(P\)”; or
- “the outer NOT.”
Exercises
See book, Ex. 2.13, pp.51
Scope
Examples of Scope
- In \(\neg(P)\), the scope of \(\neg\) is \(\neg(P)\). It is the smallest subformula containing that occurrence of \(\neg\)
- In \((P\vee Q)\), the scope of \(\vee\) is \((P\vee Q)\).
- In \((\neg(P)\vee Q)\), the scope of \(\neg\) is \(\neg(P)\), while the scope of \(\vee\) is \((\neg(P)\vee Q)\).
To determine scope
- To determine scope, you can just build the wff.
- When the wff that is constructed when that operator is first introduced is the scope of that operator.
- Let’s determine the scope of the rightmost \(\neg\) in \((\neg (P)\land \neg (Q))\)
Exercises
See book, Ex. 2.14, pp.53
Main Operator
Examples of Main Operator
- The main operator of \(\neg(P)\) is \(\neg\).
- The main operator of \((P\wedge Q)\) is \(\wedge\).
- The main operator of \((\neg(P)\vee Q)\) is \(\vee\).
- The main operator of \(\neg((P\rightarrow Q))\) is \(\neg\).
Exercise
See book, Ex. 2.15, p.54
Simplification
Gross: \(\neg((\neg (P)\rightarrow \neg (Q)))\)
Why parentheses?
- Parentheses exist so that the scope of the operators is precise (no ambiguity!)
- \(\neg P\land Q\) could be
- \(\neg ((P\land Q))\). Main operator is \(\neg\), OR
- \((\neg (P)\land Q)\). Main operator is \(\land\)
Parentheses Convention 1
- \((P\land Q)\) to \(P\land Q\)
- \(((P\land Q)\lor R)\) to \((P\land Q)\lor R\)
- \(((P\land Q)\lor (S\land R))\) to \((P\land Q)\lor (S\land R)\)
Parentheses Convention 2
- \(\neg (P)\) to \(P\)
- \(\neg(\neg (P))\) to \(\neg\neg P\)
- \(\neg(\neg (P\land Q))\) to \(\neg\neg (P\land Q)\)
- NOT: \(\neg ((P\land Q))\) to \(\neg P\land Q\)
Parentheses Convention 3
- \(\lnot ((P\land Q))\) to \(\lnot (P\land Q)\)
Exercise
See book, Ex. 2.16, pp.58
Literal Negation
The literal negation of a proposition \(\phi\) is formed by placing parentheses around \(\phi\) and applying the negation formation rule (or performing the operation in reverse).
- \(\phi \quad\mapsto\quad \neg(\phi)\)
- \(\neg (\phi) \quad\mapsto\quad \phi\)
Examples of Literal Negation
| Wff | Literal negation of wff |
|---|---|
| \(P\) | \(\neg(P)\) |
| \((P\rightarrow R)\) | \(\neg((P\rightarrow R))\) |
| \((\neg(P)\wedge R)\) | \(\neg((\neg(P)\wedge R))\) |
Literal Negations?
- \(\neg (P\lor \neg Q)\) and \(P\lor \neg Q\)?
- \(\neg P\land Q\) and \(P\land Q\)?
Exercise
See book, Ex. 2.17, pp.59
Types of Complex Wffs
Complex wffs can be categorized according to their main operator:
| Form | Main Operator | Type of wff |
|---|---|---|
| \(\neg(\phi)\) | \(\neg\) | Negated wff |
| \((\phi\wedge \psi)\) | \(\wedge\) | Conjunction |
| \((\phi\vee \psi)\) | \(\vee\) | Disjunction |
| \((\phi\rightarrow \psi)\) | \(\rightarrow\) | Conditional |
| \((\phi\leftrightarrow \psi)\) | \(\leftrightarrow\) | Biconditional |
Components of Complex Wffs
Some parts of complex wffs have special names:
- A conjunction \((P\wedge R)\) contains two conjuncts, \(P\) and \(R\).
- A disjunction \((P\vee R)\) contains two disjuncts, \(P\) and \(R\).
- A conditional \((P\rightarrow R)\) contains an antecedent, \(P\), and a consequent, \(R\).
Negated form of each
Complex wffs can be categorized according to their main operator:
| Form | Main Operator | Type of wff |
|---|---|---|
| \(\neg\neg (\phi)\) | \(\neg\) | Double negation |
| \(\neg(\phi\wedge \psi)\) | \(\neg\) | Negated Conjunction |
| \(\neg (\phi\vee \psi)\) | \(\neg\) | Negated Disjunction |
| \(\neg (\phi\rightarrow \psi)\) | \(\neg\) | Negated Conditional |
| \(\neg (\phi\leftrightarrow \psi)\) | \(\neg\) | Negated Biconditional |
Exercise
See book, Ex. 2.18, pp.61
You should know
- how to ID symbols.
- how to ID a wff, its proper parts, subformulas.
- how to write a wff in simplified or non-simplified form
- how to ID scope and main operator
- how to write a wff’s literal negation
- the different types of wffs and types of complex wffs
Syntax is fundamental so get a mastery of these skills!
PL – Semantics
PL: Semantics
PL is a set of symbols together with formation rules for combining those symbols. The symbols and wffs produced by the formation rules are meaningless until PL is interpreted.
Function
Function: Examples
Interpretation and Valuation
The semantics of PL involve two important functions:
- Interpretation function
- Valuation function
Interpretation Function
Valuation Defined
Valuations
- \(v(R)=\mathscr{I}(R)\)
- \(v(\neg (\phi))=T\) iff \(v(\phi)=F\).
- \(v(\phi\wedge \psi)=T\) iff \(v(\phi)=T\) and \(v(\psi)=T\).
- \(v(\phi\vee \psi)=T\) iff \(v(\phi)=T\) or \(v(\psi)=T\).
- \(v(\phi\rightarrow \psi)=T\) iff \(v(\phi)=F\) or \(v(\psi)=T\).
- \(v(\phi\leftrightarrow \psi)=T\) iff \(v(\phi)=v(\psi)\)
Interpretation and Valuation
Valuation: Truth Tables
Truth tables provide a graphical display of the interpretation and valuation functions.
For one propositional letter:
| Interpretation | \(P\) |
|---|---|
| \(\mathscr{I}_1\) | \(T\) |
| \(\mathscr{I}_2\) | \(F\) |
2 Propositional letters
| Interpretation | \(P\) | \(Q\) |
|---|---|---|
| \(\mathscr{I}_1\) | T | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_2\) | T | F |
| \(\mathscr{I}_3\) | F | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_4\) | F | F |
3 Propositional letters
| Interpretation | \(P\) | \(Q\) | \(R\) |
|---|---|---|---|
| \(\mathscr{I}_1\) | T | T | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_2\) | T | T | F |
| \(\mathscr{I}_3\) | T | F | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_4\) | T | F | F |
| \(\mathscr{I}_5\) | F | T | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_6\) | F | T | F |
| \(\mathscr{I}_7\) | F | F | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_8\) | F | F | F |
4 Propositional letters
| Interpretation | \(P\) | \(Q\) | \(R\) | \(S\) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \(\mathscr{I}_1\) | T | T | T | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_2\) | T | T | F | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_3\) | T | F | T | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_4\) | T | F | F | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_5\) | F | T | T | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_6\) | F | T | F | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_7\) | F | F | T | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_8\) | F | F | F | T |
| \(\mathscr{I}_9\) | T | T | T | F |
| \(\mathscr{I}_{10}\) | T | T | F | F |
| \(\mathscr{I}_{11}\) | T | F | T | F |
| \(\mathscr{I}_{12}\) | T | F | F | F |
| \(\mathscr{I}_{13}\) | F | T | T | F |
| \(\mathscr{I}_{14}\) | F | T | F | F |
| \(\mathscr{I}_{15}\) | F | F | T | F |
| \(\mathscr{I}_{16}\) | F | F | F | F |
Valuation: Atomic wff
\(v(P)=T = \mathscr{I}(P)\)
| \(\mathscr{I}(P)\) | \(v(P)\) |
|---|---|
| T | T |
| F | F |
Valuation: Negation
\(v(\neg (\phi))=T\) iff \(v(\phi)=F\)
| \(\phi\) | \(\neg (\phi)\) |
|---|---|
| T | F |
| F | T |
Valuation: Conjunction
\(v(\phi\wedge \psi)=T\) iff both \(v(\phi)=T\) and \(v(\psi)=T\).
| \(\phi\) | \(\psi\) | \(\phi\wedge \psi\) |
|---|---|---|
| T | T | T |
| T | F | F |
| F | T | F |
| F | F | F |
Valuation: Disjunction
\(v(\phi\vee \psi)=F\) iff both \(v(\phi)=F\) and \(v(\psi)=F\)
| \(\phi\) | \(\psi\) | \(\phi\vee \psi\) |
|---|---|---|
| T | T | T |
| T | F | T |
| F | T | T |
| F | F | F |
Equivalently: \(v(\phi\vee \psi)=T\) iff exactly one of the two disjuncts (\(\phi, \psi\)) is T or they are both true.
Valuation: Conditional
\(v(\phi\rightarrow \psi)=F\) iff \(v(\phi)=T\) and \(v(\psi)=F\).
| \(\phi\) | \(\psi\) | \(\phi\rightarrow \psi\) |
|---|---|---|
| T | T | T |
| T | F | F |
| F | T | T |
| F | F | T |
Equivalently: \(v(\phi\to \psi)=T\) iff \(v(\phi)=F\) or \(v(\psi)=T\), or both.
Valuation: Biconditional
\(v(\phi\leftrightarrow \psi)=T\) iff \(v(\phi)=v(\psi)\)
| \(\phi\) | \(\psi\) | \(\phi\leftrightarrow \psi\) |
|---|---|---|
| T | T | T |
| T | F | F |
| F | T | F |
| F | F | T |
Exercise
See book, Ex. 2.19, p.70
Exercise
See book, Ex. 2.20, p.72
PL – Translation
Atomic Wffs
Begin with a simple English proposition consisting of a subject and a predicate (S is P or S Ps):
- Tek is kind.
- The hat is red.
- Liz runs.
Single letter
Each simple proposition can be translated using a single propositional letter:
- Tek is kind. Trans: \(T\)
- The hat is red. Trans: \(H\)
- Liz runs. Trans: \(L\)
Choosing Letters
- “John is kind” as \(J\).
- “John is friendly” cannot also be \(J\)
Negated Wffs - Translation?
\(v(\neg\phi)=T\) iff \(v(\phi)=F\).
- What (in English) behaves just like this?
- Add a word / phrase to a sentence \(S\) to make a new sentence \(S^*\)
- Adding that word / phrases makes \(S^*\) T when \(S\) is F, and \(F\) when \(S\) is T.
Negated Wffs - Not
\(v(\neg\phi)=T\) iff \(v(\phi)=F\).
- Form: not-P. T when P is F. F when P is T.
- Sentence: It is not the case that Paul is happy
- True when “Paul is happy” is F. False when “Paul is happy” is T.
- Translation: \(\neg P\)
Conjunctions - Translation?
\(v(P\wedge Q)=T\) iff both \(P\) and \(Q\) are true.
- What (in English) behaves just like this?
- Add a word / phrase between \(P\) and \(Q\) and the new sentence \(\phi\) is T iff both \(P\) and \(Q\) are T.
Conjunctions - And
\(v(P\wedge Q)=T\) iff both \(P\) and \(Q\) are true.
- Sentence: Paul is happy and Chris is sad.
- Form: P and C
- Translation: \(P\land C\)
Disjunctions
\(v(P\lor Q)=T\) iff \(P\) or \(Q\) are true.
- Sentence: Paul is happy or Chris is sad.
- Form: P or C
- Translation: \(P\lor C\)
Inclusive and Exclusive “Or”
- Inclusive: One or the other, or both.
- Exclusive: One or the other, but not both.
Translating Exclusive Or
- Introduce a new operator: \(v(P\oplus Q)=T\) iff exactly one of \(P\) and \(Q\) is true.
- Use existing operators
Conditionals - Translation?
\(v(P\rightarrow Q)=F\) iff \(v(P)=T\) and \(v(Q)=F\).
- What (in English) behaves just like this?
- Add a word / phrase between \(P\) and \(Q\) and the new sentence \(\phi\) is F when \(P\) is T and \(Q\) is F.
Conditionals - If P then Q.
\(v(P\rightarrow Q)=F\) iff \(v(P)=T\) and \(v(Q)=F\).
- Sentence: If you pay me $5 today, then I’ll pay you back $6.
- Form: If P, then B
- Translation: \(P\to B\)
Paradoxes of Material Implication
Translating “if P, then Q” as \(P\to Q\) seems wrong.
| \(\phi\) | \(\psi\) | \(\phi\rightarrow \psi\) |
|---|---|---|
| T | T | T |
| T | F | F |
| F | T | |
| F | F |
- If you pay me $5 today, then I’ll pay you back $6.
- Fine for rows 1 and 2, but rows 3 and 4 are weird.
Paradoxes of Material Implication
When the antecedent is F, the conditional is automatically T.
- If rain is made of spaghetti sauce, then God exists.
- \(v(F\to ?)=T\)
- \(P\to Q\) is T when \(P\) is F.
When the consequent is T, the conditional is automatically T.
- If God exists, then there are dandelions on Earth.
- \(v(?\to T)=T\)
- \(P\to Q\) is T when \(Q\) is T.
Paradoxes of Material Implication
| \(\phi\) | \(\psi\) | \(\phi\rightarrow \psi\) |
|---|---|---|
| T | T | T |
| T | F | F |
| F | T | ? |
| F | F | ? |
- There is a lot of debate about rows 3-4.
- The debate is about
- whether (3)-(4) should be T.
- how to teach (3)-(4) is T.
Intuition Pump - Promises
- A promise is false when the promise is broken and true when it is unbroken.
- Let’s treat:
- false conditionals as broken promises
- true conditionals as unbroken promises
Intuition Pump - Example
- “If you are kind, then you will go to heaven”
| \(K\) | \(H\) | \(K\rightarrow H\) |
|---|---|---|
| T | T | |
| T | F | |
| F | T | |
| F | F |
Biconditionals
\(v(P\rightarrow Q)=T\) iff \(v(P)=v(Q)\).
- Sentence: John is at the party if and only if Mary is at the party.
- Form: J iff M
- Translation: \(J\leftrightarrow M\)
- Expanded: P iff Q is short for two conjoined conditionals: “if P then Q and if Q then P”.
Basic Translation Exercise
See book, Ex. 2.22, pp.81
PL — Complex Translations
PL: Complex Translations
- \(P\) and \(Q\) and \(R\);
- \(P\) or \(Q\) or \(R\);
- neither \(P\) nor \(Q\);
- not both \(P\) and \(Q\);
- \(P\) only if \(Q\);
- \(P\) even if \(Q\).
Multiple Ands and Ors
Complex propositions chained together by “and” or “or” can be translated using multiple instances of \(\wedge\) or \(\vee\).
- John is tall and Mary is happy and Frank is sweet: \((J\wedge M)\wedge F\)
- I will go to the store, or stay home, or go to a party: \(S\vee(H\vee P)\)
Multiple Ands and Ors: Ambiguous
Mixing “ands” and “ors” in a chain create ambiguous sentences:
- Sentence: You can have eggs and bacon or toast.
- Translation: \(E\land B\vee T\)
Is it?
- \((E\land B)\vee T\), or
- \(E\land (B\vee T)\)
Neither P Nor Q
“Neither P nor Q” is not-\(P\) and not-\(Q\)
- (\(\neg P\wedge\neg Q\))
- John is neither happy nor angry: \(\neg H\wedge\neg A\).
- Liz is neither tired nor hungry.: \(\neg T\wedge\neg H\).
- The defendant was neither present at the scene nor involved in the planning. \(\neg P\land \lnot I\)
Not Both P and Q
“Not both P and Q” does not mean:
- both \(P\) and \(Q\) are false
- not-\(P\) and not-\(Q\)
It means that it is not the case that both are true (together). The conjunction is false.
Not Both P and Q - Tip
- Both P and Q = \(P\land Q\)
- NOT Both P and Q = \(\neg (P\land Q)\)
| \(P\) | \(Q\) | \(P\land Q\) | \(\neg (P\land Q)\) |
|---|---|---|---|
| T | T | T | F |
| T | F | F | T |
| F | T | F | T |
| F | F | F | T |
Not Both P and Q - Examples
- John is not both happy and angry: \(\neg(H\wedge A)\).
- A number is not both even and odd: \(\neg (E\land O)\)
- The defendant cannot be convicted of and acquitted of the same offense in the same proceeding. \(\neg (C\land A)\)
Exclusive Or
Two senses of “or”:
- Inclusive: P or Q, or both: \(P\vee Q\).
- Exclusive: P or Q, but not both: \(P\oplus Q\) or \((P\vee Q)\wedge\neg(P\wedge Q)\)
- You may choose either tea or coffee, but not both. \((T\lor C)\land \lnot (T\land C)\)
- The light is either on or off, but not both. \((O\lor F)\land \lnot (O\lor F)\)
Complex Translation Exercise 1
See book, Ex. 2.26, pp.89-90,
P Only If Q
“P only if Q” means
| Sentence | PL |
|---|---|
| P requires Q | \(P\to Q\) |
| P is not the case if Q is not the case | \(\neg Q\to \neg P\) |
| Whenever P is the case, Q is the case | \(P\to Q\) |
| if P then Q | \(P\to Q\) |
P Only If Q - Examples
- John will go to the party only if Mary goes: \(\neg M\rightarrow\neg J\).
- John will be found guilty only if he committed the crime: \(\neg C\rightarrow\neg G\).
- The car will start only if there is gas in it: \(C\to G\).
P Even If Q
“P even if Q” expresses that P is the case regardless of the truth or falsity of Q.
Translate it simply as: \(P\)
P Even If Q - Examples
- John will go to the party even if Mary goes: \(P\).
- The stock market will go up even if no one buys stock: \(S\).
- You will be ruined even if you are found not guilty: \(R\).
Further Reading
- Geoffrey Hunter, Metalogic: An Introduction to the Metatheory of Standard First Order Logic. University of California Press, 1971.
- Theodore Sider, Logic for Philosophy. Oxford University Press, 2010.
- Donald W. Loveland, Richard E. Hodel, and S. G. Sterrett, Three Views of Logic: Mathematics, Philosophy, and Computer Science. Princeton University Press, 2014.