modus ponens
Noun
Meaning
modus ponens (uncountable)
(philosophy, logic) A valid form of argument in which the antecedent of a conditional proposition is affirmed, thereby entailing the affirmation of the consequent. Modus ponens has the form
1. If P, then Q.
2. P.
3. Therefore, Q.
Synonyms
Related terms
Examples
Hypothetical syllogism is closely related to modus ponens and sometimes thought of as "double modus ponens."
Given a complete set of axioms (see below for one such set), modus ponens is sufficient to prove all other argument forms in propositional logic, thus they may be considered to be a derivative.
His rules of proof were limited to modus ponens and substitution.
Indeed, after the application of modus ponens, nothing is left but the conclusion, the rest disappears forever.
In instances of modus ponens we assume as premises that p → q is true and p is true.
In the case of propositional systems the axioms are terms built with logical connectives and the only inference rule is modus ponens.