English

Normalisation for Negative Free Logics without and with Definite Descriptions

Logic in Computer Science 2024-10-16 v1 Logic

Abstract

This paper proves normalisation theorems for intuitionist and classical negative free logic, without and with the \invertediota\invertediota operator for definite descriptions. Rules specific to free logic give rise to new kinds of maximal formulas additional to those familiar from standard intuitionist and classical logic. When \invertediota\invertediota is added it must be ensured that reduction procedures involving replacements of parameters by terms do not introduce new maximal formulas of higher degree than the ones removed. The problem is solved by a rule that permits restricting these terms in the rules for \forall, \exists and \invertediota\invertediota to parameters or constants. A restricted subformula property for deductions in systems without \invertediota\invertediota is considered. It is improved upon by an alternative formalisation of free logic building on an idea of Ja\'skowski's. In the classical system the rules for \invertediota\invertediota require treatment known from normalisation for classical logic with \lor or \exists. The philosophical significance of the results is also indicated.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2410.11445,
  title  = {Normalisation for Negative Free Logics without and with Definite Descriptions},
  author = {Nils Kürbis},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2410.11445},
  year   = {2024}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-28T19:22:20.518Z