Methods for Testing Validity

I. Desirable Properties

A. Mechanical: Machine could use test to determine validity of a finite argument in a finite number of steps.

B. V-Complete: If an argument is valid, then the test can determine that it is.

C. I-Complete: If an argument is invalid, then the test can determine that it is.

II. Our Methods (for Propositional Truth-Functional Logic)

A. Counter-Arguments

1. I-complete

2. Not mechanical

3. Not V-complete

B. Basic Pattern Comparison

1. Mechanical

2. Not V-complete

3. Not I-complete

C. Truth-Tables

1. Mechanical

2. V-complete

3. I-complete

D. Proofs

1. Mechanical

2. V-complete

3. Not I-complete