Sheffer
Sheffer
harmony
Stephen Read
Department of Logic and Metaphysics
University of St Andrews
Fife KY16 9AL
Scotland, U.K.
email: [email protected]
10 September 1999
Abstract
In order to explicate Gentzen’s famous remark that the introduction-
rules for logical constants give their meaning, the elimination-rules being
simply consequences of the meaning so given, we develop natural deduc-
tion rules for Sheffer’s stroke, alternative denial. The first system turns
out to lack Double Negation. Strengthening the introduction-rules by
allowing the introduction of Sheffer’s stroke into a disjunctive context
produces a complete system of classical logic, one which preserves the
harmony between the rules which Gentzen wanted: all indirect proof re-
duces to direct proof.
1
introductions. There is a close connection between a natural deduction system
and its corresponding sequent formulation.3 When the natural deduction rules
are in harmony, it is possible to show the eliminability of the Cut Rule from
derivations in the corresponding sequent calculus: Gentzen’s Hauptsatz (Main
Theorem) was a constructive proof of the eliminability of Cut from his classical
and intuitionistic systems LK and LJ.
Despite the elegance of Gentzen’s systems, and the clarity of his exposition,
his remark about the proof-theoretical meaning of the logical constants has been
explicated and developed in a variety of ways. I want in this paper to illustrate
what I believe to be the correct explication of his insight by applying it to the
binary connective usually known as Sheffer’s stroke, or alternative denial. It
is often written p|q, for arbitrary wffs p and q, or in prefix notation (due to
Lukasiewicz) as Dpq. Its truth table is:
p q p|q
T T F
T F T
F T T
F F T
p|q is true if p or q is false (or both), false only if both are true.
How can we capture the sense of p|q proof-theoretically? That is, what do
we need to establish in order to show that p|q is true? What suffices to show
that p|q is true is to show either that p is false or that q is false (or both). First,
recall Gentzen’s introduction-rules for p ∨ q (Apq)—that p or q is true:
p q
p ∨ q ∨I p ∨ q ∨I
or, setting the assumptions out explicitly:
X:p X:q
∨I ∨I
X :p∨q X :p∨q
Expressions of the form X : p are called sequents (in fact, single-conclusion
sequents). A (single-conclusion) sequent is an ordered pair of a set of wffs
(possibly empty) and a wff.
To deal with Sheffer’s stroke, we have instead to show that p or q is false,
that is, that ¬p or ¬q (N p or N q) is true. It is useful to avail ourselves (for the
present) of an absurdity constant, ⊥, a wff of degree 1, containing no proposi-
tional variables, which is always false. Showing p to be false was done (in one
form) by Gentzen by the rule:
(p)
⊥
¬p ¬I
or, setting the assumptions out explicitly:
X, p : ⊥
¬I
X : ¬p
3 Prawitz 1965; Zucker 1974.
2
Combining these insights, the following grounds for asserting p|q, i.e. introduction-
rules, are suggested:
(p) (q)
⊥ |I-left ⊥ |I-left
p|q p|q
In other words, one may assert p|q if either p leads to absurdity (i.e. isn’t true)
or q does. p|q is true just when p or q is false.
Gentzen’s important insight was that, when read in this way, the introduction-
rule(s) justify the elimination-rule, that is, they lead one to construct the
elimination-rule to reflect the grounds for asserting the wff in question (here,
p|q) exhibited in the introduction-rule(s). We proceed as follows: suppose we
have a proof of p|q. Then we can infer from it whatever can be inferred from
the grounds for its assertion. We know those grounds are either a proof that p
is false or a proof that q is false. Let us work in the explicit notation. This is
what we obtain at first:
X : p|q Y, p ⇒ ⊥ : r Z, q ⇒ ⊥ : r
X, Y, Z : r
That is, from a proof of p|q (from assumptions X) and proofs of r from the
assumption that p is false (that is, a derivation of ⊥ from p, written p ⇒ ⊥)
and parametric wffs Y , and the same for q (and Z), we can infer r, discharging
the assumptions about the falsity of p and q (i.e. from X, Y, Z alone). However,
what exactly is meant by p ⇒ ⊥ (and q ⇒ ⊥), and how is it dealt with in
actuality?
Gentzen showed how to deal with p ⇒ ⊥ (in general, with p ⇒ q) in his
sequent calculus. For what we have is an introduction of p ⇒ ⊥ into the
assumptions on which r is based. r is supposed to follow from p ⇒ ⊥ in
conjunction with other assumptions Y . But all p ⇒ ⊥ connotes is that ⊥ is
derivable from p. Consequently, whatever follows from ⊥ follows from whatever
entails p:
Y :p ⊥:r
⇒:
Y, p ⇒ ⊥ : r
Extending our earlier schema upwards, we obtain:
Y :p ⊥:r Z:q ⊥:r
⇒: ⇒:
X : p|q Y, p ⇒ ⊥ : r Z, q ⇒ ⊥ : r
X, Y, Z : r
But anything follows from ⊥, at least according to the canons of classical and
intuitionistic logic. So we can suppress those premises and finally settle on the
3
form of the elimination-rule for p|q:
p|q p q
|E
r
or explicitly:
X : p|q Y : p Z : q
|E
X, Y, Z : r
We also need to include a rule for ⊥, viz ⊥E:4
X:⊥
⊥E
X:p
Proof:
¬I
p1
⊥ |I-left(1)
p|p
¬E
p|p p p
|E
⊥
2
However, the theory of p|q given by the above rules is too weak. We cannot
prove, for example, the commutativity of |, that p|q `S1 q|p.
Theorem 1 Assuming S1 is consistent, p|q : q|p is not derivable in S1 .5
4 ⊥ has no introduction-rule. Hence, in accordance with Gentzen’s remark, p follows from
⊥ provided that p follows from whatever entails ⊥. Since nothing entails ⊥, the ‘provided
that . . . ’ clause here places no restriction. So p follows from ⊥, for all p. See Prawitz 1973,
243.
5 I am indebted to Roy Dyckhoff for the observation that Theorem 1 holds, for the suggestion
of moving to system S2 below, and generally for helpful discussions in the composition of this
paper.
4
Proof: suppose there were a derivation of p|q : q|p. Consider the final inference:
Thinning then : q|p would be derivable, which is clearly impossible, if S1 is
consistent.
|I then w.l.g. p|q, p : ⊥ would be derivable, and again S1 would be inconsistent.
⊥E then p|q : ⊥ would be derivable, which is again impossible.
|E
p|q : r|s p|q : r p|q : s
|E
p|q : q|p
Then we could equally derive p|q : ⊥, as follows:
X, p, q : ⊥
|I
X : p|q
Y 0 : p Y 00 : q
:&
Y : p&q
⇒:
X : p|q Y, (p&q) ⇒ ⊥ : r
X, Y : r
5
Proof:
p:p q:q
Thinning Thinning
p|q : p|q p|q, q, p : p p|q, q, p : p
|E
p|q, q, p : ⊥
|I
p|q : q|p 2
However, S2 is still not a system of classical logic. Suppose we try to intro-
duce p ∨ q by definition in the standard way, as (p|p)|(q|q). Then, although the
introduction-rules for ∨ are admissible, that is, if X `S2 p then X `S2 p ∨ q (so
defined), and the same for q, the elimination-rule is not admissible. The same is
true for p&q defined as (p|q)|(p|q), and for p ⊃ q defined as p|(q|q). The reason
is that Double Negation Elimination is not derivable in S2 .
Theorem 2 ¬¬p 6`S2 p.
Proof: We interpret S2 in frames F = hW, Ri. Let W be a non-empty set
and R a transitive relation over W . Let A be the set of atoms of S2 . An
assignment on A is a map f : A × W → 2 such that if f (p, w) = 1 and Rwu
then f (p, u) = 1 (i.e. f is required to be hereditary over R). We extend f to a
valuation v : S2 × W → 2 such that:
1. v(p, w) = f (p, w) for all p ∈ A
2. v(⊥, w) = 0 for all w ∈ W
6
|E : We have to show that whenever X |= p|q, Y |= p and Z |= q, X, Y, Z |= r.
So suppose there is a frame F and w ∈ W such that v(s, w) = 1 for all
s ∈ X ∪ Y ∪ Z. Then v(p|q, w) = 1, v(p, w) = 1 and v(q, w) = 1. So
for all u such that Rwu, v(p, u) = 0 or v(q, u) = 0. But by Lemma 3,
v(p, u) = 1 and v(q, u) = 1. Contradiction. Hence there is no frame such
that v(s, w) = 1 for all w ∈ W and all s ∈ X ∪ Y ∪ Z. Thus X, Y, Z |= r.
⊥E : We have to show that whenever X |= ⊥, X |= p. So suppose X |= ⊥.
Then there is no frame such that for all w ∈ W , v(q, w) = 1 for all q ∈ X.
Hence v(p, w) = 1 in any frame in which v(q, w) = 1 for all w ∈ W and
all q ∈ X. So X |= p.
We now show that ¬¬p 6|= p. Let W = {0, 1} such that R11 and R01.
hW, Ri is a frame. Let v(p, 0) = 0 and v(p, 1) = 1. Note that v(p|p, 1) = 0 and
so v(¬¬p, 0) = 1. But v(p, 0) = 0. So ¬¬p 6|= p. Hence ¬¬p 6`S2 p. 2
Clearly, S2 is at most an intuitionistic account of alternative denial. It is
therefore no surprise that | is insufficient to introduce &, ∨ and ⊃, for no two-
place connective of intuitionistic logic is functionally complete.6
7
By Gentzen’s lights, this would justify the elimination-rule:
(p)
p tonk q r
r tonk-E
8
Theorem 3 X `S2 p iff X `LS p.
Proof: by inspection. 2
It should be no surprise that LS gives an intuitionistic account of conse-
quence and of “stroke”, since it is a single-conclusion calculus. That was how
Gentzen obtained his sequent calculus LJ for intuitionistic logic from LK, by
restricting sequents to single-conclusion (one or no s-wffs). In fact, this formu-
lation somewhat obscures what the real restriction is. Consider the analogue of
|right in a multiple-succedent calculus:
X, p, q : Y
|rightm
X : p|q, Y
Comma in the succedent in sequent calculus has a disjunctive interpretation,
while that in the antecedent is conjunctive, so the inference here has the form:
¬(p&q) ∨ r
(∗)
(p|q) ∨ r
introducing ‘|’ into a disjunctive context.
Generalizing |left to its multiple-conclusion form:
X : p, Y X : q, Y
|leftm
X, p|q : Y
it is straightforward to prove Double Negation Elimination:
p:p p:p
p, p : p Thinning p, p : p Thinning
|rightm |rightm
: p|p, p : p|p, p
|leftm
(p|p)|(p|p) : p
However, it is clear that the admission of multiple succedents is crucial here. If
we call the new system based on |leftm and |rightm , LSC, we can easily check
that X `LSC p iff p follows from X classically.
How can we extend our natural deduction system, S2 , to allow the intro-
duction of ‘|’ into a disjunctive context, as (*) permits, and so incorporate the
added power of derivability that a multiple-conclusion system permits? One
way is to replace the single wffs at the nodes of the natural deduction tree with
sets of wffs.10 The sequents then constituting a proof are multiple-conclusion
sequents X : Y , where Y is non-empty (the empty succedent of sequent calcu-
lus is matched by letting Y = ⊥). But the effect of multiple-succedent can be
achieved in natural deduction without such a radical departure from the normal
single-conclusion format, where what is proved at each juncture is a (single) wff
on certain assumptions. The solution is, quite literally, to allow the introduction
of ‘|’ into a disjunctive context. A first attempt would give:
(p, q)
⊥∨r
(p|q) ∨ r
10 See von Kutschera 1962, Boricic 1985 and Cellucci 1992.
9
and similarly for q. But think: ⊥ ∨ r is derivable from p if and only if r itself is
derivable from p (clearly, r entails ⊥ ∨ r, and conversely, ⊥ ∨ r entails r by ∨E
and ⊥E). So we can simplify the rule to read:
(p, q)
r |Ic
(p|q) ∨ r
that is,
X, p, q : r
|Ic
X : (p|q) ∨ r
What elimination-rule does |Ic justify, by Gentzen’s proposal? A first at-
tempt reads:
Y 0 : p Y 00 : q
:&
Y : p&q r:s
⇒:
X : p|q Y, (p&q) ⇒ r : s
X, Y, Z : s
Let r = s. We obtain our original |E rule as a special case, which we will find
to suffice for (classical) completeness:
X : p|q Y : p Z : q
|E
X, Y, Z : r
Call the new system, based on ∨I, ∨E, ⊥E, |Ic and |E, SC. Clearly, SC is at
least as strong as S2 . But we can now derive Double Negation:
Lemma 4 (DN) If X `SC ¬¬p then X `SC p.
Proof:
p1 ¬¬p ¬p2 ¬p2
|Ic (1,1) |E
¬p ∨ p p p3
∨E(2,3)
p 2
In fact, the system SC is complete for classical logic. We show this in The-
orem 4; first, we show the admissibility of certain rules, which will make the
derivations in Theorem 4 easier to display:
Lemma 5 |I-left If X, p ` ⊥ then X ` p|q
|I If X, p, q ` ⊥ then X ` p|q.
MO If X, r ` p and Y, r ` q then X, Y ` r|(p|q).
10
Proof:
|I-left
X, p : ⊥
Thinning
X, p, q : ⊥ ⊥:⊥
|Ic ⊥E
X : (p|q) ∨ ⊥ p|q : p|q ⊥ : p|q
∨E
X : p|q
|I-right is similar.
¬E
p|p p p
|E
⊥
SZ
r1
p|q p q
|E
⊥ |I-left(1)
r|s
The other case is similar.
|I
p1 q2
⊥ |Ic (1, 2)
⊥4
⊥E
(p|q) ∨ ⊥ p|q 3 p|q
∨E(3,4)
p|q
MO
r1 r1
p|q 2 p q
|E
⊥ |I(1,2)
r|(p|q) 2
We can now show that SC is complete by deriving the sole axiom and show-
ing admissible the sole rule of inference of Wajsberg’s formulation of classical
propositional logic.11
Theorem 4 1. If X ` p|(q|r) and Y ` p then X, Y ` r.
2. ` (p|(q|r))|(((s|r)|¬(p|s))|(p|(p|q))).
Proof:
1.
¬r2 r1 r1 SZ(1)
p|(q|r) p q|r
SZ(2)
¬¬r
r DN
11 See Church 1956, 138.
11
2.
s|r 5 s6 r7 ¬p8 p9
SZ(7) ¬E
p2 p|(q|r)3 p4 q|r ⊥
|I(2) SZ(6) |I-left(9)
¬p ∨ p p|s p|s p|q 11 p10 q 12
∨E(4,8) SZ(12)
¬(p|s)1 p|s p|(q|r)3 p10 q|r
¬E |E
⊥ ⊥
|I(1,5) |I(10,11)
(s|r)|¬(p|s) p|(p|q)
MO(3)
(p|(q|r))|(((s|r)|¬(p|s))|(p|(p|q)))
2
Moreover, SC is harmonious—we’ve designed it so to be. We do not have
a Normalization Theorem for SC—proofs like that of DN in Lemma 4 contain
a maximal wff, in that case ¬p ∨ p, introduced by |Ic and major premise of
∨E. That is because ∨ is performing the role of structural connective as well
as its standard role as disjunction. Harmony consists rather in the justificatory
relation between the -I and -E rules.
The role of ∨ and ⊥ is entirely auxiliary—it is to enable us to construct a
single-conclusion natural deduction system. The corresponding sequent system
LSC can dispense with them, and concentrate entirely on the matching rules,
|leftm and |rightm . Cut is eliminable from LSC by the usual method of reducing
the degree of the Cut formula. The schema:
X, p : Y Z : p, W Z : q, W
|rightm |leftm
X : p|q, Y Z, p|q : W
Cut(p|q)
X, Z : Y, W
reduces to:
Z : p, W X, p : Y
Cut(p)
X, Z : Y, W
The rule |Ic is not, in Dummett’s terminology,12 pure or simple. It is not
pure, since both ‘|’ and ‘∨’ figure in its conclusion; it is not simple, since ‘|’
is not necessarily the principal operator of its conclusion. To demand that
(introduction-)rules be simple (Dummett does not) is to misunderstand what
Gentzen means by an introduction-rule. The role of such a rule is to introduce
an occurrence of a logical constant, that is, to infer a conclusion containing an
occurrence of that constant with no match in the premise. One might object,
therefore, to |Ic ; for not only does the displayed occurrence of ‘|’ have no match
in the premises; neither does that of ‘∨’. But recall our development of the
rule. ‘∨’ is present as an auxiliary symbol to assist in the manipulation of single
conclusions as if they were multiple. The premise has the logical effect of ⊥ ∨ r.
So ‘∨’ is implicitly present in the premise. What |Ic introduces is the occurrence
of ‘|’. ‘∨’ is introduced by ∨I.
Purity is a different matter. But the crucial issue was identified by Dummett
(loc.cit.). What must be avoided is circularity. Specifying the meaning of ‘|’ by
|Ic depends on a prior understanding of ‘∨’; so we must be sure that there is no
12 Dummett 1991, 257.
12
corresponding dependency of the meaning of ‘∨’ on that of ‘|’. There is not. ‘|’
does not feature in the rules for ‘∨’.
To conclude: SC, constructed with the rules ∨I, ∨E, ⊥E, |Ic and |E is a
harmonious, single-conclusion natural deduction system of classical logic, from
which all the theses of classical logic in ‘|’ (and ∨ and ⊥) can be derived.
Harmony in classical logic is an achievable goal.
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