Wikipedia: Modus ponens

Difference (from prior major revision) (no other diffs)

Changed: 1c1

Modus ponens is a valid, simple argument form:

Modus ponens is a valid, simple argument form:

Removed: 7,18d6

Here is an example of an argument that fits the form modus ponens:

:If love conquers all, then love conquers Attila the Hun.
:Love conquers all.
:Therefore, love conquers Attila the Hun.

Another example:

:If democracy is the best system of government, then everyone should vote.
:Democracy is the best system of government.
:Therefore, everyone should vote.

Changed: 23c11

( A → B )

A → B

Added: 25a14,20

Here is an example of an argument that fits the form modus ponens:

:If democracy is the best system of government, then everyone should vote.
:Democracy is the best system of government.
:Therefore, everyone should vote.

Modus ponens is a valid, simple argument form:

: If P, then Q.
: P.
: Therefore, Q.

Basically the idea is to make an "if-then" claim--these are called conditional claims--and then affirm the "if" part, or the antecedent, and then conclude with the "then" part, or the consequent.

In symbols:

  A → B
  A        
  ∴ B

Here is an example of an argument that fits the form modus ponens:

: If democracy is the best system of government, then everyone should vote.
: Democracy is the best system of government.
: Therefore, everyone should vote.