The Negation of an Implication Statement?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the logical implications of negating an implication statement, specifically examining the relationship between propositions A (P → Q) and B (¬(P → Q)). Participants explore the validity of claims regarding the truth of A based on the falsity of B, and the implications of different logical systems, such as classical and intuitionistic logic.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that showing B (¬(P → Q)) is false does not imply that A (P → Q) is true, questioning the underlying logic.
  • Another participant provides a logical equivalence, stating ¬(P → Q) is equivalent to P ∧ ¬Q, suggesting this negation alters the nature of the statement.
  • A third participant clarifies that the negation of an implication is indeed not an implication itself, reinforcing the previous point.
  • One participant introduces the distinction between classical and intuitionistic logic, noting that in intuitionistic logic, proving B is false does not equate to proving A due to the absence of double negation elimination.
  • In classical logic, a proof of the negation of B would lead to the double negation of A, which is equivalent to A, according to classical rules.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of negating an implication statement, with some supporting the classical interpretation and others advocating for the intuitionistic perspective. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these logical frameworks.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference different logical systems, highlighting the limitations of classical versus intuitionistic logic, particularly regarding the treatment of negation and double negation elimination.

someperson05
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Hello,

So someone just asked me for assistance on a proof, and while I'm fairly certain you can't do what he did, I am not completely sure on the reasons.

To state it as formal logic,
If you have proposition A:
P \rightarrow Q
And let's call proposition B
\neg (P \rightarrow Q)
If you were to show B was false, then I think that does not imply A is true.

Am I right? And what logic is really going on above?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

EDIT:
I tried looking at the implication as,
P \rightarrow Q \equiv \neg P \vee Q
which means that
\neg (P \rightarrow Q) \equiv P \wedge \neg Q
which no longer seems to be really an implication statement.
 
Last edited:
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it is always true that

a\lor \neg a


¬¬a is equivalent to a
 
someperson05 said:
Hello,

\neg (P \rightarrow Q) \equiv P \wedge \neg Q
which no longer seems to be really an implication statement.

Why would it be, it's the negation of an implication statement.
 
I'm a little unclear on exactly what your question is and what system of logic you are talking about.

If you are talking about intuitionistic/constructive logic then a proof that B is false (i.e. a proof of the negation of B, which I believe in intuitionistic terms would be "a proof that B cannot be proven") would not be a proof of A, since intuitionistic logic does not have a double negation elimination rule. Intuitionistic logic also has a different definition of negation than classical logic (part of the reason there is no double negation rule).

However, in classical logic, a proof of the negation of B would be the double negation of A, which is equivalent to A via a rule of double negation elimination.
 

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