In classical
logic, propositions are typically unambiguously considered as being true or false. For instance, the proposition ''one is both equal and not equal to itself'' is regarded as simply false, being contrary to the
Law of Noncontradiction; while the proposition ''one is equal to one'' is regarded as simply true, by the
Law of Identity. However, some mathematicians, computer scientists, and philosophers have been attracted to the idea that a proposition might be ''more or less'' true, rather than wholly true or wholly false. Consider ''My coffee is hot''.
In
mathematics, this idea can be developed in terms of
fuzzy logic
Fuzzy logic is a form of many-valued logic in which the truth value of variables may be any real number between 0 and 1. It is employed to handle the concept of partial truth, where the truth value may range between completely true and complete ...
. In
computer science, it has found application in
artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is intelligence—perceiving, synthesizing, and inferring information—demonstrated by machines, as opposed to intelligence displayed by animals and humans. Example tasks in which this is done include speech re ...
. In
philosophy, the idea has proved particularly appealing in the case of
vagueness. Degrees of truth is an important concept in law.
The term is an older concept than
conditional probability
In probability theory, conditional probability is a measure of the probability of an event occurring, given that another event (by assumption, presumption, assertion or evidence) has already occurred. This particular method relies on event B occur ...
. Instead of determining the objective probability, only a subjective assessment is defined. Especially for novices in the field, the chance for confusion is high. They are highly likely to confound the concept of probability with the concept of degree of truth.
To overcome the misconception, it makes sense to see probability theory as the preferred paradigm to handle uncertainty.
See also
;Language:
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Meaning (linguistics) —
Semiotics
;Technology:
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Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is intelligence—perceiving, synthesizing, and inferring information—demonstrated by machines, as opposed to intelligence displayed by animals and humans. Example tasks in which this is done include speech re ...
;Logic:
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Bivalence
In logic, the semantic principle (or law) of bivalence states that every declarative sentence expressing a proposition (of a theory under inspection) has exactly one truth value, either true or false. A logic satisfying this principle is calle ...
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Fuzzy logic
Fuzzy logic is a form of many-valued logic in which the truth value of variables may be any real number between 0 and 1. It is employed to handle the concept of partial truth, where the truth value may range between completely true and complete ...
*
Fuzzy set
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Half-truth
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Multi-valued logic
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Paradox of the heap
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Truth
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Truth value
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Vagueness
;Books:
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Vagueness and Degrees of Truth''
Bibliography
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References
Fuzzy logic
Logic
Truth
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