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Overview
affirming the antecedent
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In conditional reasoning, arguing validly from a hypothetical proposition of the form If p then q that, because p therefore q. For example, given the proposition If the burglars entered by the front door, then they forced the lock, it is valid to deduce from the fact that the burglars entered by the front door that they must have forced the lock. Also called modus ponens. Compare affirming the consequent, denying the antecedent, denying the consequent.
