Algebraic aspects of propositional logic

dc.contributor.advisorJanelidze-Gray, Tamar
dc.contributor.advisorJanelidze, George
dc.contributor.authorLeisegang, Nicholas
dc.date.accessioned2025-02-25T07:51:45Z
dc.date.available2025-02-25T07:51:45Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.date.updated2025-02-25T07:48:42Z
dc.description.abstractIn this dissertation, we seek to examine the connection between abstract algebra and propositional logic. We start by considering the category Bool of Boolean algebras, the algebraic counterpart of classical propositional logic. We provide an algebraic definition of theories and models of classical logic and provide algebraic algorithms to determine whether a chosen formula is a theorem of a given theory of classical logic. In order to generalize this approach, we then describe varieties of universal algebra and some of their properties. Using this framework, we show in a general setting how a formal theory of propositional logic induces a variety of universal algebra in which logical connectives become algebraic operations and logical formulae are considered equal when they are logically equivalent. We then discuss algebraic varieties corresponding to various non-classical propositional logics. In particular, we consider the variety of Heyting algebras Heyt which corresponds to intuitionistic logic, and certain subvarieties of Heyt which correspond to intermediate logics. We then describe several algebraic varieties which correspond to theories of normal modal logic. Moreover, by considering free algebras and completeness in Heyt, we establish that we are unable to use the same methods used in Bool to construct algorithms to determine theorems of intuitionistic logic. Lastly, we construct an adjunction between Heyt and the category of topological Boolean algebras, and through this show that we again cannot construct similar algebraic algorithms to determine theorems in the modal logic S4.
dc.identifier.apacitationLeisegang, N. (2024). <i>Algebraic aspects of propositional logic</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41004en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationLeisegang, Nicholas. <i>"Algebraic aspects of propositional logic."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, 2024. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41004en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationLeisegang, N. 2024. Algebraic aspects of propositional logic. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41004en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Leisegang, Nicholas AB - In this dissertation, we seek to examine the connection between abstract algebra and propositional logic. We start by considering the category Bool of Boolean algebras, the algebraic counterpart of classical propositional logic. We provide an algebraic definition of theories and models of classical logic and provide algebraic algorithms to determine whether a chosen formula is a theorem of a given theory of classical logic. In order to generalize this approach, we then describe varieties of universal algebra and some of their properties. Using this framework, we show in a general setting how a formal theory of propositional logic induces a variety of universal algebra in which logical connectives become algebraic operations and logical formulae are considered equal when they are logically equivalent. We then discuss algebraic varieties corresponding to various non-classical propositional logics. In particular, we consider the variety of Heyting algebras Heyt which corresponds to intuitionistic logic, and certain subvarieties of Heyt which correspond to intermediate logics. We then describe several algebraic varieties which correspond to theories of normal modal logic. Moreover, by considering free algebras and completeness in Heyt, we establish that we are unable to use the same methods used in Bool to construct algorithms to determine theorems of intuitionistic logic. Lastly, we construct an adjunction between Heyt and the category of topological Boolean algebras, and through this show that we again cannot construct similar algebraic algorithms to determine theorems in the modal logic S4. DA - 2024 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Bool of Boolean algebras LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2024 T1 - Algebraic aspects of propositional logic TI - Algebraic aspects of propositional logic UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41004 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/41004
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationLeisegang N. Algebraic aspects of propositional logic. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, 2024 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41004en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectBool of Boolean algebras
dc.titleAlgebraic aspects of propositional logic
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMSc
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