predicate logic

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predicate logic



(Or "predicate calculus") An extension of propositional logic with separate symbols for predicates, subjects, and quantifiers.

For example, where propositional logic might assign a single symbol P to the proposition "All men are mortal", predicate logic can define the predicate M(x) which asserts that the subject, x, is mortal and bind x with the universal quantifier ("For all"):

All x . M(x)

Higher-order predicate logic allows predicates to be the subjects of other predicates.

(2002-05-21)