predicate calculus

predicate calculus

n.

The branch of symbolic logic that deals not only with relations between propositions as a whole but also with their internal structure, especially the relation between subject and predicate. Symbols are used to represent the subject and predicate of the proposition, and the existential or universal quantifier is used to denote whether the proposition is universal or particular in its application.

---

predicate calculus

n

(Philosophy / Logic) the system of symbolic logic concerned not only with relations between propositions as wholes but also with the representation by symbols of individuals and predicates in propositions and with quantification over individuals Also called functional calculus See also propositional calculus

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

predicate calculus - a system of symbolic logic that represents individuals and predicates and quantification over individuals (as well as the relations between propositions) functional calculus formal logic, mathematical logic, symbolic logic - any logical system that abstracts the form of statements away from their content in order to establish abstract criteria of consistency and validity quantification - a limitation imposed on the variables of a proposition (as by the quantifiers `some' or `all' or `no')