modus ponens
the reasoning that, when a conditional statement is accepted as true, as “If X is red, then Y is blue,” it can be inferred when the antecedent is known to be true, as “X is red,” that its consequent, “Y is blue,” is affirmed.
an argument based on the reasoning of modus ponens: A simple modus ponens might begin with “If Joe sneezes, Tom laughs.”
Origin of modus ponens
1Words Nearby modus ponens
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British Dictionary definitions for modus ponens
/ Latin (ˈməʊdəs ˈpəʊˌnɛnz) /
logic the principle that whenever a conditional statement and its antecedent are given to be true its consequent may be validly inferred, as in if it's Tuesday this must be Belgium and it's Tuesday so this must be Belgium
Origin of modus ponens
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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