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Modus ponens (Latin: mode that affirms) is a valid, simple argument form:
- If P, then Q.
- P.
- Therefore, Q.
or in logical operator notation:
-
-
-
where represents the logical assertion.
The argument form has two premises. The first premise is the "if-then" or conditional claim, namely that P implies Q.
The second premise is that P, the antecedent of the conditional claim, is true. From these two premises it can be
logically concluded that Q, the consequent of the conditional claim, must be true as well.
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.
A propositional argument using modus ponens is said to be
deductive.
For an amusing dialog that problematizes modus ponens, see Lewis
Carroll's "What the Tortoise
Said to Achilles."
See also: modus tollens, affirming the consequent, Denying the antecedent, inference
rule.
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