Is it Appropriate to Use Big Vee and Big Wedge for Infinitary Logic?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the use of Big Vee (∧) and Big Wedge (∨) in infinitary logic, particularly when dealing with infinite collections of logical statements. While finite unions and intersections of sets and logical statements are well-defined, the legality of extending these operations to infinite collections remains uncertain. The participants explore whether expressions like \bigvee_{i\in I} A_i and \bigwedge_{i\in I} A_i can be formally accepted in logic when I is infinite, despite the intuitive meaning being clear. The reference to "Infinitary Logic" provides additional context for understanding these concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of set theory, including unions and intersections.
  • Familiarity with logical operators such as conjunction (AND) and disjunction (OR).
  • Knowledge of infinitary logic and its implications.
  • Basic comprehension of formal logic notation.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the formal definitions and properties of infinitary logic.
  • Explore the implications of using infinite logical operations in mathematical logic.
  • Study the differences between finite and infinite logical expressions.
  • Examine existing literature on the legality of infinitary operations in various logical systems.
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Logicians, mathematicians, and computer scientists interested in advanced logical frameworks, particularly those exploring the boundaries of infinitary logic and its applications.

jostpuur
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With finite amount of sets unions and intersections can be written as

[tex] A_1\cup A_2\cup\cdots\cup A_n[/tex]

and

[tex] A_1\cap A_2\cap\cdots \cap A_n.[/tex]

If we have an arbitrary collection of sets, [tex](A_i)_{i\in I}[/tex], then we can still write unions and intersections as

[tex] \bigcup_{i\in I} A_i[/tex]

and

[tex] \bigcap_{i\in I} A_i.[/tex]

If we have a finite amount of logical statements, then logical "or" and "and" of them can be written as

[tex] A_1 \lor A_2\lor\cdots \lor A_n[/tex]

and

[tex] A_1 \land A_2\land\cdots \land A_n.[/tex]

I don't think I've ever seen anything being done with arbitrary collections of logical statements. Have you? Is it okey to write something like this:

[tex] \bigvee_{i\in I} A_i[/tex]

and

[tex] \bigwedge_{i\in I} A_i?[/tex]
 
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If I is finite, this is legal. If I is infinite however, I don't know of any logic where this is legal, albeit meaning is clear, i.e. at least one proposition in I is true, all propositions in I are true.
 
See "Infinitary Logic" Here:

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/logic-infinitary/"
 
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