Lecture 15

Outlines of the Lecture:

 First order Predicate Logic
 Introduction and
 Syntax
 First order Predicate Logic
• Limitations of Aristotelian Logic:
• Theory is partial
• Understand Predication only in terms of class inclusion and class
membership.
• Thereby leave out other kinds of predication
• Predicate logic: concerned about predication of properties to
things/objects (ascribing about somethings)
• Example: this leaf is green
• It is not necessary to rely upon the class relation to understand the
predication.
• First order predicate logic: still a system of deduction
• Syntax looks different: Predicate Symbols and Quantifiers.
• Syntax of first order predicate logic:
• Individual constants: Refers to unique particular things/objects within the
domains.
• They have fixed , constant reference.
• They are similar to proper names.
• Lowercase alphabets with or without numerical subscripts:
• Example:
• Aristotle: a
• Mount Everest: e
• The leaf: l2
 Predicate Symbols
• Refer to predicates: e.g, ‘being green’
• Use capital letters to assign predicate term: ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ etc.
• Predicates holds primary position before things/object: Prefix notation.
• 1. Ordinary proposition:
• Aristotle is a philosopher
• Predicate logic reading this position:
• Being philosopher is a property predicated to Aristotle.
• Being philosopher: P
• Aristotle: a
• Symbol: Pa
• This leaf is green:
• Being green is a property predicated to leaf: Symbol- Gl
• Note:
• the propositions above are structurally simple propositions
• we are using the sense of predication to find logically insignificant information in them
 Individual Variables
• Variables are place holders.
• But individual variables refers to unspecified individuals in the domains:
• Example: some people, any executive.
• use lowercase alphabets from the end of the alphabet series: x, y, z etc.
• Example: Some people: Px

• Note: predicate may require more than one constant or variable and in ordered sequence
• Example: ‘is greater than’ is a 2-place predicate: Gxy: x is greater than y
• 1. hundred is greater than ninety : Ghn
• 2. Rajasthan is in between Delhi and Gujrat : Brdg
• Bxyz: x is in between y and z
• Predicate logic is still include the truth functional compound
statements:
• Example: Aristotle is a philosopher and he taught Alexander the
Great.
• Aristotle: a , Alexnder the Great: g
• Px : x is a philosopher Txy: x taught y
• Symbolised: Pa ● Tag
 Why it is called First Order?
• Here, first refers to the most elementary level.
• This logic is about most elementary level of predication, where:
• Predication is understood properties predicate to things/objects
•
• Higher level of predication:
• The level of predication properties to properties
• Quantification of properties