INTUITIONISTIC LOGIC
\ɪntjuːˈɪʃənˈɪstɪk lˈɒd͡ʒɪk], \ɪntjuːˈɪʃənˈɪstɪk lˈɒdʒɪk], \ɪ_n_t_j_uː_ˈɪ_ʃ_ə_n_ˈɪ_s_t_ɪ_k l_ˈɒ_dʒ_ɪ_k]\
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Brouwer's foundational theory ofmathematics which says that you should not count a proof of(There exists x such that P(x)) valid unless the proofactually gives a method of constructing such an x. Similarly,a proof of (A or B) is valid only if it actually exhibitseither a proof of A or a proof of B.In intuitionism, you cannot in general assert the statement (Aor not-A) (the principle of the excluded middle); (A ornot-A) is not proven unless you have a proof of A or a proofof not-A. If A happens to be undecidable in your system(some things certainly will be), then there will be no proofof (A or not-A).This is pretty annoying; some kinds of perfectlyhealthy-looking examples of proof by contradiction just stopworking. Of course, excluded middle is a theorem ofclassical logic (i.e. non-intuitionistic logic).History(http://britanica.com/bcom/eb/article/3/0,5716,118173+14+109826,00.html).
By Denis Howe
Word of the day
hydromorphic
- [Greek] Structurally adapted to an aquatic environment, as organs of water plants.