Natural Deduction Natural Deduction is a common name for the class of proof systems composed of simple and self-evident inference rules based upon methods of proof and traditional ways of reasoning that have been applied since antiquity in deductive practice. The first formal ND systems were independently constructed in the 1930s by G. Gentzen and S. Jaśkowski and … Continue reading Natural Deduction →.

This book provides a detailed exposition of one of the most practical and popular methods of proving theorems in logic, called Natural Deduction. It is presented both historically and systematically. Also some combinations with other known proof methods are explored. The initial part of the book deals with Classical Logic, whereas the rest is concerned with systems for several forms of Modal Logics, one of the most important branches of modern logic, which has wide applicability.

A new type of formalization of classical first-order logic with equality is introduced on the basis of the sequent calculus. It serves to justify the claim that equality is a logical constant characterised by well-behaved rules satisfying properties usually regarded as essential. The main feature of this approach is the application of sequents built not only from formulae but also from terms. Two variants of sequent calculus are examined, a structural and a logical one. The former is defined in accordance (...) with Dos̆en’s criteria for logical constants. The latter is a standard Gentzen’s sequent calculus and satisfies Hacking’s criteria for logicality, including cut elimination. It is also shown that provided rules are harmonious in the sense advocated by Gratzl and Orlandelli. (shrink)

The paper presents a uniform proof-theoretic treatment of several kinds of free logic, including the logics of existence and definedness applied in constructive mathematics and computer science, and called here quasi-free logics. All free and quasi-free logics considered are formalised in the framework of sequent calculus, the latter for the first time. It is shown that in all cases remarkable simplifications of the starting systems are possible due to the special rule dealing with identity and existence predicate. Cut elimination is (...) proved in a constructive way for sequent calculi adequate for all logics under consideration. (shrink)

In several applications of sequent calculi going beyond pure logic, an introduction of suitably defined rules seems to be more profitable than addition of extra axiomatic sequents. A program of formalization of mathematical theories via rules of special sort was developed successfully by Negri and von Plato. In this paper a general theorem on possible ways of transforming axiomatic sequents into rules in sequent calculi is proved. We discuss its possible applications and provide some case studies for illustration.

Hypersequent calculus, developed by A. Avron, is one of the most interesting proof systems suitable for nonclassical logics. Although HC has rather simple form, it increases significantly the expressive power of standard sequent calculi. In particular, HC proved to be very useful in the field of proof theory of various nonclassical logics. It may seem surprising that it was not applied to temporal logics so far. In what follows, we discuss different approaches to formalization of logics of linear frames and (...) provide a cut-free HC formalization ofKt4.3, the minimal temporal logic of linear frames, and some of its extensions. The novelty of our approach is that hypersequents are defined not as finite sets but as finite lists of ordinary sequents. Such a solution allows both linearity of time flow, and symmetry of past and future, to be incorporated by means of six temporal rules. Extensions of the basic calculus with simple structural rules cover logics of serial and dense frames. Completeness is proved by Schütte/Hintikka-style argument using models built from saturated hypersequents. (shrink)

The paper contains an exposition of some non standard approach to gentzenization of modal logics. The first section is devoted to short discussion of desirable properties of Gentzen systems and the short review of various sequential systems for modal logics. Two non standard, cut-free sequent systems are then presented, both based on the idea of using special modal sequents, in addition to usual ones. First of them, GSC I is well suited for nonsymmetric modal logics The second one, GSC II (...) is devised specially for symmetric, i.e. Blogics. GSC I and GSC II are not different formalizations, from the theoretical point of view GSC I may be seen as a simplification of the more general approach present in GSC II. They are considered separately, mainly because Blogics demand different, and more complicated, strategy in completeness proof, whereas non symmetric logics are easily and uniformly characterised by means of Fitting's Consistency Properties. The weakest modal logic captured by this formalization is minimal regular logic C, but many stronger logics are obtainable by addition of suitable structural rules, which conforms to Do en's methodology. Both variants of GSC satisfy also other, besides cut-freedom, desirable properties. (shrink)

We provide an application of a sequent calculus framework to the formalization of definite descriptions. It is a continuation of research undertaken in [20, 22]. In the present paper a so-called free description theory is examined in the context of different kinds of free logic, including systems applied in computer science and constructive mathematics for dealing with partial functions. It is shown that the same theory in different logics may be formalised by means of different rules and gives results of (...) varying strength. For all presented calculi a constructive cut elimination is provided. (shrink)

The paper is a brief survey of some sequent calculi which do not follow strictly the shape of sequent calculus introduced by Gentzen. We propose the following rough classification of all SC: Systems which are based on some deviations from the ordinary notion of a sequent are called generalised; remaining ones are called ordinary. Among the latter we distinguish three types according to the proportion between the number of primitive sequents and rules. In particular, in one of these types, called (...) Gentzen’s type, we have a subtype of standard SC due to Gentzen. Hence by nonstandard ones we mean all these ordinary SC where other kinds of rules are applied than those admitted in standard Gentzen’s sequent calculi. We describe briefly some of the most interesting or important nonstandard SC belonging to the three abovementioned types. (shrink)

Hypersequent calculi can formalize various non-classical logics. In [9] we presented a non-commutative variant of HC for the weakest temporal logic of linear frames Kt4.3 and some its extensions for dense and serial flow of time. The system was proved to be cut-free HC formalization of respective temporal logics by means of Schütte/Hintikka-style semantical argument using models built from saturated hypersequents. In this paper we present a variant of this calculus for Kt4.3 with a constructive syntactical proof of cut elimination.

In the paper a decision procedure for S5 is presented which uses a cut-free sequent calculus with additional rules allowing a reduction to normal modal forms. It utilizes the fact that in S5 every formula is equivalent to some 1-degree formula, i.e. a modally-flat formula with modal functors having only boolean formulas in its scope. In contrast to many sequent calculi for S5 the presented system does not introduce any extra devices. Thus it is a standard version of SC but (...) with some additional simple rewrite rules. The procedure combines the proces of saturation of sequents with reduction of their elements to some normal modal form. (shrink)

This is an extended version of the lectures given during the 12-thConference on Applications of Logic in Philosophy and in the Foundationsof Mathematics in Szklarska Poręba. It contains a surveyof modal hybrid logic, one of the branches of contemporary modal logic. Inthe first part a variety of hybrid languages and logics is presented with adiscussion of expressivity matters. The second part is devoted to thoroughexposition of proof methods for hybrid logics. The main point is to showthat application of hybrid logics (...) may remarkably improve the situation inmodal proof theory. (shrink)

This is a sequel article to [10] where a hypersequent calculus for some temporal logics of linear frames includingKt4.3and its extensions for dense and serial flow of time was investigated in detail. A distinctive feature of this approach is that hypersequents are noncommutative, i.e., they are finite lists of sequents in contrast to other hypersequent approaches using sets or multisets. Such a system in [10] was proved to be cut-free HC formalization of respective logics by means of semantical argument. In (...) this article we present an equivalent variant of this calculus for which a constructive syntactical proof of cut elimination is provided. (shrink)

The status of the equality predicate as a logical constant is problematic. In the paper we look at the problem from the proof-theoretic standpoint and survey several ways of treating equality in formal systems of different sorts. In particular, we focus on the framework of sequent calculus and examine equality in the light of criteria of logicality proposed by Hacking and Došen. Both attempts were formulated in terms of sequent calculus rules, although in the case of Došen it has a (...) nonstandard character. It will be shown that equality can be characterised in a way which satisfies Došen’s criteria of logicality. In the case of Hacking’s approach the fully satisfying result can be obtained only for languages with a nonempty, finite set of predicate constants other than equality. Otherwise, cut elimination theorem fails to hold. (shrink)

We present a detailed proof of the admissibility of cut in sequent calculus for some congruent modal logics. The result was announced much earlier during the Trends in Logic Conference, Toruń 2006 and the proof for monotonic modal logics was provided already in Indrzejczak [5]. Also some tableau and natural deduction formalizations presented in Indrzejczak [6] and Indrzejczak [7] were based on this result but the proof itself was not published so far. In this paper we are (...) going to fill this gap. The delay was partly due to the fact that the author from time to time was trying to improve the result and extend it to some additional logics by testing other methods of proving cut elimination. Unfortunately all these attempts failed and cut elimination holds only for these logics which were proved to satisfy this property already in 2005. (shrink)

In this brief note we would like to outline the main events of life and the main achievements of Stanisław Jaśkowski one of the important Polish logician and mathematician of the first half of twentieth century.

The paper is devoted to the concise description of some Natural Deduction System (ND for short) for Linear Temporal Logic. The system's distinctive feature is that it is labelled and analytical. Labels convey necessary semantic information connected with the rules for temporal functors while the analytical character of the rules lets the system work as a decision procedure. It makes it more similar to Labelled Tableau Systems than to standard Natural Deduction. In fact, our solution of linearity representation is rather (...) independent of the underlying proof method, provided that some form of (analytic) cut is admissible. We will also discuss some generalisations of the system and compare it with other formalizations of linearity. (shrink)

The paper contains an exposition of standard ND-formalizations for modal logics. For the sake of simplicity, it is limited to propositional monomodal logics because focus is on methods not on logics. Some of the discussed approaches, however, may be easily extended to first order modal logics of different sorts or to multimodal logics . Natural Deduction is understood in the strict sense, explained below; neither Gentzen Sequent Calculus, nor Tableau Systems belong to that group. Moreover, some ND-systems with generalized apparatus, (...) like [2] or [3] are also omitted in this survey. There are four basic approaches to modality via NDformalization, which are compared and evaluated with respect to their generality: modalization of assumptions, modalization of reiteration rule, modalization of rules, application of modal assumptions. We focus on practical matters, especially on the applicability of discussed approaches, the only exception is the discussion of independent rules for necessity and possibility in the last section. (shrink)

The paper provides a proof theoretic characterization of the Russellian theory of definite descriptions (RDD) as characterized by Kalish, Montague and Mar (KMM). To this effect three sequent calculi are introduced: LKID0, LKID1 and LKID2. LKID0 is an auxiliary system which is easily shown to be equivalent to KMM. The main research is devoted to LKID1 and LKID2. The former is simpler in the sense of having smaller number of rules and, after small change, satisfies cut elimination but fails to (...) satisfy the subformula property. In LKID2 an additional analysis of different kinds of identities leads to proliferation of rules but yields the subformula property. This refined proof theoretic analysis leading to fully analytic calculus with constructive proof of cut elimination is the main contribution of the paper. (shrink)

Hybrid logics are extensions of standard modal logics, which significantly increase the expressive power of the latter. Since most of hybrid logics are known to be decidable, decision procedures for them is a widely investigated field of research. So far, several tableau calculi for hybrid logics have been presented in the literature. In this paper we introduce a sound, complete and terminating tableau calculus T H(@,E,D, ♦ −) for hybrid logics with the satisfaction operators, the universal modality, the difference modality (...) and the inverse modality as well as the corresponding sequent calculus S H(@,E,D, ♦ −) . They not only uniformly cover relatively wide range of various hybrid logics but they are also conceptually simple and enable effective search for a minimal model for a satisfiable formula. The main novelty is the exploitation of the unrestricted blocking mechanism introduced as an explicit, sound tableau rule. (shrink)

We provide a version of first-order hybrid tense logic with predicate abstracts and definite descriptions as the only non-rigid terms. It is formalised by means of a tableau calculus working on sat-formulas. A particular theory of DD exploited here is essentially based on the approach of Russell, but with descriptions treated as genuine terms. However, the reductionist aspect of the Russellian approach is retained in several ways. Moreover, a special form of tense definite descriptions is formally developed. A constructive proof (...) of the interpolation theorem for this calculus is given, which is an extension of the result provided by Blackburn and Marx. (shrink)

We discuss the methods for providing sequent calculi for Suszko’s basic non-Fregean Logic with sentential identity SCI. After examination of possible strategies and already proposed systems we focus on the new calculus and its modification. It does not satisfy full cut elimination but a slightly generalised form of the subformula property holds for it. It is also standard in the sense of satisfying several conditions on rules formulated by Gentzen and his followers. We examine also the problem of providing a (...) constructive proof of the interpolation theorem in the setting of this sequent calculus. (shrink)

In 1934 Jaśkowski and Gentzen independently published their groundbreaking works on Natural Deduction. The aim of this paper is to provide some criteria for division of the diversity of existing systems on some natural subcategories and to show that despite the differences all these systems are descendants of original systems of Jaśkowski and Gentzen. Three criteria are discussed:The kind of items which are building-blocks of the proof.The format of proof.The kind of rules.The first leads to the division of ND into (...) two main classes: F-systems working on formulas and S-systems working on sequents. The second distinguishes between T-systems with tree-proofs and L-systems with linear proofs. Finally, the third leads to several minor divisions in the main categories. (shrink)

The paper is a brief survey of the most important semantic constructions founded on the concept of possible world. It is impossible to capture in one short paper the whole variety of the problems connected with manifold applications of possible worlds. Hence, after a brief explanation of some philosophical matters I take a look at possible worlds from rather technical standpoint of logic and focus on the applications in formal semantics. In particular, I would like to focus on the fruitful (...) marriage of possible world semantics and algebra and its evolution leading to very general construction of Wójcicki called referential semantics and some of its refinements. The presentation is informal and sketchy; the main purpose is to put in one place a short, and readable I hope, description of the most important constructions and to point out the main sources of these solutions. (shrink)

In 1934 Stanisław Jaśkowski published his groundbreaking work on natural deduction. At the same year Gerhard Gentzen also published a work on the same topic. We aim at presenting of Jaśkowski’s system and provide a comparison with Gentzen’s approach. We also try to outline the influence of Jaśkowski’s approach on the later development of natural deduction systems.

Definite descriptions are widely discussed in linguistics and formal semantics, but their formal treatment in logic is surprisingly modest. In this article we present a sound, complete, and cut-free tableau calculus TCRλ\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\textbf{TC}}_{R_{\lambda }}$$\end{document} for the logic LRλ\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\textbf{L}}_{R_{\lambda }}$$\end{document} being a formalisation of a Russell-style theory of definite descriptions with the iota-operator used to construct definite descriptions, the lambda-operator forming predicate-abstracts, and definite descriptions (...) as genuine terms with a restricted right of residence. We show that in this setting we are able to overcome problems typical of Russell’s original theory, such as scoping difficulties or undesired inconsistencies. We prove the Craig interpolation property for the proposed theory, which, through the Beth definability property, allows us to check whether an individual constant from a signature has a definite description-counterpart under a given theory. (shrink)