In philosophy, modus ponens means: A valid rule of inference: from 'If P, then Q' and 'P', you may conclude 'Q'.
In Turkish: modus ponens, öncülü onaylama kuralı
How it is used
Latin for 'the mode that affirms'. Its partner is modus tollens: from 'If P, then Q' and 'not Q', conclude 'not P'. Confusing these with affirming the consequent, which is invalid, is a classic student error.
Example sentences
If it rained, the street is wet; it rained; so the street is wet. That's modus ponens.
As the saying goes, one philosopher's modus ponens is another's modus tollens.
Common collocations
modus tollens
rule of inference
affirming the consequent
apply modus ponens
Related terms
inferenceThe step of reasoning from one or more statements to another, or the conclusion that is reached by taking that step.
validDescribes an argument whose form guarantees that if all the premises are true, the conclusion must be true as well.
deductionReasoning in which the conclusion is meant to follow necessarily from the premises, so that true premises guarantee a true conclusion.
logicThe study of correct reasoning, especially of which conclusions follow from which premises and why.
