The Fourth Edition of this long-established text retains all the key features of the previous editions, covering the basic topics of a solid first course in ...

A philosophical discussion of the intuitive meaning of the formalism of modal propositional logics.

A propositional logic with modal operators for logical necessity and possibility is formulated as a formal ontology for logical atomism (with negative facts). It is shown that such modal operators represent purely formal, Internal 'properties' of propositions if and only if the notion of 'all possible worlds' has its standard and not the secondary interpretation which it is usually given (as, E.G., In kripke model-Structures). Allowing arbitrary restrictions on the notion of 'all possible worlds', At least in such a framework (...) as logical atomism, Generates internal 'properties' of propositions with material instead of purely formal content. (shrink)

This book is intended to be used as a textbook by students of mathematics, and also within limitations as a reference work.