Proof calculus

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In mathematical logic, a proof calculus or a proof system is built to prove statements.

Overview

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A proof system includes the components:[1][2]

A formal proof of a well-formed formula in a proof system is a set of axioms and rules of inference of proof system that infers that the well-formed formula is a theorem of proof system.[2]

Usually a given proof calculus encompasses more than a single particular formal system, since many proof calculi are under-determined and can be used for radically different logics. For example, a paradigmatic case is the sequent calculus, which can be used to express the consequence relations of both intuitionistic logic and relevance logic. Thus, loosely speaking, a proof calculus is a template or design pattern, characterized by a certain style of formal inference, that may be specialized to produce specific formal systems, namely by specifying the actual inference rules for such a system. There is no consensus among logicians on how best to define the term.

Examples of proof calculi

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The most widely known proof calculi are those classical calculi that are still in widespread use:

Many other proof calculi were, or might have been, seminal, but are not widely used today.

Modern research in logic teems with rival proof calculi:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Anita Wasilewska. "General proof systems" (PDF).
  2. ^ a b c "Definition:Proof System - ProofWiki". proofwiki.org. Retrieved 2023-10-16.