Hypothetical Propositions

Prepared by: Fevvie Von G. Asistio, M.A., M.A.

Hypothetical Proposition

- is a compound proposition that does not affirm nor negate

the components themselves but only the nature and validity of
their connection.

- can be true even if the components are not true or even

are impossible.
A. Conditional Proposition

- Expresses real dependence a between a condition (antecedent)

which is usually introduced by the word “if” and the conditioned
(consequent) introduced by the word “then”.

- This kind of proposition is also known as implication because one

(antecedent) implies the other (consequent).

- Other terms:
In case, provided that, in the event that, given that, on the
condition that.
 - the truth of the consequent necessarily follows from the truth of
the antecedent.

- The truth of a conditional proposition depends on the conditional

connection between the two components.

Seemingly true:
If I do not have a love life then I cant be happy.

Seemingly false:
If I have wings then I can fly.
B. Disjunctive Proposition

- Expresses alternatives (disjuncts).

- Either… or…

- Two types:
a. Exclusive Disjunction.
b. Inclusive Disjunction.
1. Exclusive Disjunction

- the disjuncts are mutually exclusive, one necessarily

excludes the other. One of the disjuncts is necessarily true
while the all the other is false.
 
- the truth of exclusive disjunction depends on the mutual
exclusion of the disjuncts.

- the exclusive nature of the disjuncts is due to the

opposition between contradictory terms.
Examples:

1. Your girlfriend either love you or hate you.

2. A person is either male of female.

3. It is either you stay or leave in our relationship.

2. Inclusive Disjunction

- at least one of the disjuncts is true although the rest can also be
true at the same time.

- the disjuncts can all be true but all of them cannot be false
together.
 
- the truth of inclusive disjunction depends on the truth of at least
one of the disjuncts.

- Only if both disjuncts are false is the inclusive disjunction false.

Examples:

1. The menu can either have pasta, pizza, coffee or gelato.

2. Love can be either romantic, platonic, sympathetic or

protective.

3. Being in a relationship can be either toxic, submissive or

independent.
C. Conjunctive Proposition

- one that denies the simultaneous possibility of the

alternatives possibilities of the alternatives (conjuncts).

- the conjuncts have to be incompatible; they cannot all be

true simultaneously.

- the truth of a conjunctive proposition depends on the

incompatibility of the alternatives.
Examples:

1. A person can eat and sleep at the same time.

2. Love cannot be boring and fun at the same time.

3. A student can be sleeping and listening at the same time.

I. Activity. Identify the categorical proposition and judge whether it
is true or false.

1. The food can be bland and tasty at the same time.

2. Designs can be either simplistic or bold.

3. If you have a power punch then you can kill all evil in the world.

4. If you are intelligent then you can pass your board examinations
quickly.

5. The classroom can be either clean, well lit and arranged.

Comment on the following proposition:

If you can not beat them join

them…