Chapter 1.

6, Problem 35E

Problem

Determine whether this argument, taken from Kalish and Montague [KaMo64], is valid.

If Superman were able and willing to prevent evil, he would do so. If Superman were unable to
prevent evil, he would be impotent: if he were unwilling to prevent evil, he would be malevolent.
Superman does not prevent evil. If Superman exists, he is neither impotent nor malevolent.
Therefore, Superman does not exist.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1 of 6
The objective is to identify whether the below argument is valid or not.

In view of the discussion on the existence of superman, suppose the below conditions:

Use these to write the propositions as follows:

1. If superman were able and willing to prevent evil, he would do so.

Conveniently, assume that “if superman were able and willing to prevent evil, then he would do
so”.

Notice that ability and willing ness are mixed up to write as W.

Step 2 of 6
2. If superman were unable to prevent evil, he would be impotent;

It can be rewritten as “If superman were unable to prevent evil, then he would be impotent”.

3. If superman were unwilling to prevent evil, he would be malevolent.

It is nothing but “If he were unwilling to prevent evil, then he would be malevolent”

4. Superman does not prevent evil.

Step 3 of 6

5. If superman exists, he is neither impotent nor malevolent.

“If superman exists, then he is neither impotent nor malevolent”

6. Therefore, superman does not exist.

Step 4 of 6
Put the logical statements above together to apply the rules of inference and confirm whether the
inference is valid or not.

Use modus ponens on and to get the following result:

Step 5 of 6

Use the logical equivalence using on and write as follows:

Use the “and” operation on these to arrive at the result.

Step 6 of 6
Use and under ‘modus ponens’, the result would be as follows:

Use and to write is false.

Use this result in to get the result that must be false.

Consequently, is true.

Therefore, the inference is valid.