definite proposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definite proposition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to logic, philosophy, or mathematics when discussing statements that are clearly defined and unambiguous. Example: "In logic, a definite proposition is one that asserts a specific fact, such as 'The sky is blue.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

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Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In general, one can create arbitrary complicated cycles and check that they can lead either to contradictions or to infinite regress; but in either case, the expression fails to converge to a definite proposition.

SEP

An indefinite proposition is said to be true if it yields a true proposition (Łukasiewicz says 'judgement' for a definite proposition) for all values of its variables, it is false if it yields a false judgement for all values, and is neither true nor false if it yields true judgements for some values and false judgements for others.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Aquinas assumes, like Boethius and in contrast to Abelard, that the idea of natural truth or falsity of all temporally definite propositions implies that everything happens of necessity (In Periherm. I.13, 173).

SEP

If the Hessian matrix is negative definite, the proposition will be proved.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Since ℒe is positive definite by [1, Proposition III.2.2] and c i ≠ 0, it follows 〈e, c i 〉 > 0 and ||c i || > 0. Thus, from (2.1) we have that λmax(a k ) → ∞ when, which implies that the result (i) holds; Similarly, for any i ∈ {1,..., r}, and hence, λmin(a k ) → -∞ when, which implies that the result (ii) holds.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

The correct analysis of propositions containing definite descriptions has been the subject of considerable philosophical controversy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From this standpoint, statements of geometry and arithmetic were necessarily true propositions with definite empirical content.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This method of analysis, first introduced by Russell in his article "On Denoting" (1905), translates propositions containing definite descriptions (e.g., "the present king of France") into expressions that do not the purpose being to remove the logical awkwardness of appearing to refer to things (such as the present king of France) that do not exist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not definitive, just definite.

The New York Times

Ecclesiastical condemnations of propositions considered false or dangerous and threats against the holders of doctrines implied by these propositions gave a more definite status to the Averroists, although many propositions condemned at Paris and Oxford in 1270 and 1277 had nothing to do with Aristotle and little with Averroës.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The basic contention of Russell's theory of descriptions is that a proposition containing a definite description is not to be regarded as an assertion about an object of which that description is a name but rather as an existentially quantified assertion that a certain (rather complex) property has an instance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "definite proposition", ensure the context clearly establishes that you are referring to a statement with a clear and unambiguous truth value. This is particularly important in philosophical or logical arguments.

Common error

Avoid using "definite proposition" when describing general opinions or beliefs that lack precise truth conditions. The phrase is best reserved for formal arguments and discussions where clarity and precision are paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definite proposition" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "definite" modifies the noun "proposition". It denotes a statement that has a clearly determined truth value. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to describe unambiguous assertions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

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Reference

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "definite proposition" refers to a statement with a clear and unambiguous truth value, primarily used in formal contexts like philosophy, logic, and mathematics. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes an assertion that can be evaluated without uncertainty. Although "definite proposition" is grammatically correct and understandable, its usage is relatively rare. When simplicity suffices, consider alternatives such as "clear statement" or "precise assertion".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear statement

Focuses on the clarity of the statement, omitting the logical aspect.

precise assertion

Emphasizes the exactness and firmness of the statement.

unambiguous claim

Highlights the lack of ambiguity in the claim being made.

explicit thesis

More suitable for academic contexts, referring to a clearly stated argument.

well-defined statement

Stresses the clarity and boundaries of the statement.

certain declaration

Highlights the speaker's conviction in making the statement.

specific contention

Emphasizes the particular nature of the point being argued.

categorical proposition

A more formal term that emphasizes the conditionality of the proposition.

settled question

Implies the proposition has already been considered and a conclusion reached.

confirmed hypothesis

Suitable when referring to a proposition that has been verified through testing.

FAQs

How is a "definite proposition" different from an indefinite one?

A "definite proposition" has a clear and unambiguous truth value (either true or false), whereas an indefinite proposition's truth value depends on the values of its variables or context, potentially being true in some cases and false in others.

Can I use "definite statement" instead of "definite proposition"?

Yes, "clear statement" can often be used as a simpler alternative to "definite proposition", especially when the formal logic aspect isn't crucial. However, "definite proposition" specifically implies a statement with a determined truth value.

In what fields is the term "definite proposition" most commonly used?

The term "definite proposition" is most frequently encountered in fields such as logic, philosophy, mathematics, and computer science, where precise and unambiguous statements are essential for reasoning and argumentation.

What does it mean for a proposition to fail to converge to a "definite proposition"?

When a proposition fails to converge to a "definite proposition", it means that its truth value cannot be definitively determined. This can occur due to contradictions, infinite regress, or other logical problems, making it impossible to assign a clear true or false value.