Propositional connectives, supposition, and consequence in Paul of Pergola.

Abstract

Studying the rules of those consequentiae the validity of which depends on the internal structure of propositions, one quite often comes across Paul's remarks on various suppositions of terms; an understanding of his supposition theory is therefore essential for understanding such rules.However, reading of the tract on supposition itself presupposes a grasp* (a) of propositional connectives 'or', 'and', and 'if; (b) of modal determinations; and (c) of the validity-conditions of consequence in general; and (d) of some specific rules of consequence.The propositional connectives mentioned under (a) have been discussed by Paul in his Summulae, 1 a tract which treats of the topics of the logίca υetus and the logica nova; and the modal functors were at least enumerated in the same tract.2 His discussion of consequence and of the rules of consequences, however, follow the tract on supposition and should not have been used at this stage.But Paul can be excused from the charge of assuming a knowledge of what he will discuss later on the ground that even the logica nova should give the reader an idea of 'logically following from' and of the validity conditions for an inference.I. Propositional Connectives.Having defined conditional proposition as an expression in which several propositions are conjoined by the conditional sign 3 (Cpq, where the functor 'C is to be understood not truthfunctionally but ambiguously, just as the ordinary 'if') and having made *Paul of Pergola was born in the end of the 14th or the beginning of the 15th century, probably in Italy, and died in 1451.He studied under Paul of Venice (d.1429) who lectured at the Universities of Padua and Siena.Paul of Pergola was a successful teacher of philosophy; although a member of the order of Augustinian Hermites, he was a publicly paid lecturer in Venice.His numerous works include Logica, found in at least 10 mss. and 8 printed editions; De sensu composito et diviso; Dubia super consequentiis Strodi; and his commentaries on the insolubles and the sophismata of Heytesbury.Cf.

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