Propositions

Definition of Proposition

A proposition is a sentence or statement which affirms or denies something. For

instance, in the proposition “ Maria is beautiful ,” “beautiful” is affirmed of “Maria,” while in
“Maria is not ugly, “ “ugly is denied of “Maria.” The “something” affirmed or denied is either
simple existence of a subject, as in “God exists” and “The Titanic is long gone,” or attribute as
in “Baguio is cool,” and “Jose is tall,” or relationship or connection, as in “ If you study well,
then you will pass this course, “ and “ You will be promoted because she will be retired.”

The affirmation or denial of something is either true or false on the basis of its relation
to fact or reality. Thus, one basic characteristic of logical proposition is that it expresses truth or
falsity in whatever judgment it makes. The assertion or denial, and the element of truth or
falsity are two reasons why all propositions are sentences but not all sentences are
propositions. Commands,(e,g. Study your lessons, Wishes(e.g. I doubt you will beat the
deadline for your article.) are sentences which are not propositions. In other words, only
declarative sentences which could be either true or false on the basis of their assertion qualify
as propositions in the words of Aristotle:

Every sentence has a meaning…yet every sentence is not a proposition; only such are
propositions as have in them either truth or falsity.