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forallx-yyc-ml.tex
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% !TeX root = ./forallxyyc.tex
% Chapter on modal logic. Original author: Rob Trueman, York
% University, http://www.rtrueman.com/
\part{Modal logic}
\label{ch.ML}
\addtocontents{toc}{\protect\mbox{}\protect\hrulefill\par}
\chapter{Introducing modal logic}
\label{Intro}
Modal logic (ML) is the logic of \emph{modalities}, ways in which a statement can be true. \emph{Necessity} and \emph{possibility} are two such modalities: a statement can be true, but it can also be necessarily true (true no matter how the world might have been). For instance, logical truths are not just true because of some accidental feature of the world, but true come what may. A possible statement may not actually be true, but it might have been true. We use $\ebox$ to express necessity, and $\ediamond$ to express possibility. So you can read $\ebox \metav{A}$ as \emph{It is necessarily the case that} $\metav{A}$, and $\ediamond \metav{A}$ as \emph{It is possibly the case that} $\metav{A}$.
There are lots of different kinds of necessity. It is \emph{humanly impossible} for me to run at 100mph. Given the sorts of creatures that we are, no human can do that. But still, it isn't \emph{physically impossible} for me to run that fast. We haven't got the technology to do it yet, but it is surely physically possible to swap my biological legs for robotic ones which could run at 100mph. By contrast, it is physically impossible for me to run faster than the speed of light. The laws of physics forbid any object from accelerating up to that speed. But even that isn't \emph{logically} impossible. It isn't a contradiction to imagine that the laws of physics might have been different, and that they might have allowed objects to move faster than light.
Which kind of modality does ML deal with? \emph{All of them!} ML is a very flexible tool. We start with a basic set of rules that govern $\ebox$ and $\ediamond$, and then add more rules to fit whatever kind of modality we are interested in. In fact, ML is so flexible that we do not even have to think of $\ebox$ and $\ediamond$ as expressing \emph{necessity} and \emph{possibility}. We might instead read $\ebox$ as expressing \emph{provability}, so that $\ebox\metav{A}$ means \emph{It is provable that} $\metav{A}$, and $\ediamond\metav{A}$ means \emph{It is not refutable that} $\metav{A}$. Similarly, we can interpret $\ebox$ to mean $S$ \emph{knows that $\metav{A}$} or $S$ \emph{believes that $\metav{A}$}. Or we might read $\ebox$ as expressing \emph{moral obligation}, so that $\ebox \metav{A}$ means \emph{It is morally obligatory that} $\metav{A}$, and $\ediamond \metav{A}$ means \emph{It is morally permissible that} $\metav{A}$. All we would need to do is cook up the right rules for these different readings of $\ebox$ and $\ediamond$.
A modal formula is one that includes modal operators such as $\ebox$ and $\ediamond$. Depending on the interpretation we assign to $\ebox$ and $\ediamond$, different modal formulas will be provable or valid. For instance, $\ebox \metav{A} \eif \metav{A}$ might say that ``if $\metav{A}$ is necessary, it is true'', if $\ebox$ is interpreted as necessity. It might express ``if $\metav{A}$ is known, then it is true'', if $\ebox$ expresses known truth. Under both these interpretations, $\ebox\metav{A} \eif \metav{A}$ is valid: All necessary propositions are true come what may, so are true in the actual world. And if a proposition is known to be true, it must be true (one can't know something that's false). However, when $\ebox$ is interpreted as ``it is believed that'' or ``it ought to be the case that'', $\ebox\metav{A} \eif \metav{A}$ is not valid: We can believe false propositions. Not every proposition that ought to be true is in fact true, e.g., ``Every murderer will be brought to justice.'' This \emph{ought} to be true, but it isn't.
We will consider different kinds of systems of ML. They differ in the rules of proof allowed, and in the semantics we use to define our logical notions. The different systems we'll consider are called \mlK, \mlT, \mlSfour, and \mlSfive. \mlK{} is the basic system; everything that is valid or provable in \mlK{} is also provable in the others. But there are some things that \mlK{} does not prove, such as the formula $\ebox A \eif A$ for sentence letter~$A$. So \mlK{} is not an appropriate modal logic for necessity and possibility (where $\ebox\metav{A} \eif \metav{A}$ should be provable). This is provable in the system \mlT, so \mlT{} is more appropriate when dealing with necessity and possibiliity, but less appropriate when dealing with belief or obligation, since then $\ebox\metav{A} \eif \metav{A}$ should \emph{not} (always) be provable. The perhaps best system of ML for necessity and possibility, and in any case the most widely accepted, is the strongest of the systems we consider, \mlSfive.
\section{The Language of ML}
\label{TFLtoML}
In order to do modal logic, we have to do two things. First, we want to learn how to prove things in ML. Second, we want to see how to construct interpretations for ML. But before we can do either of these things, we need to explain how to construct sentences in ML.
The language of ML is an extension of TFL. We could have started with FOL, which would have given us Quantified Modal Logic (QML). QML is much more powerful than ML, but it is also much, much more complicated. So we are going to keep things simple, and start with TFL.
Just like TFL, ML starts with an infinite stock of \emph{atoms}. These are written as capital letters, with or without numerical subscripts: $A$, $B$, \dots $A_1$, $B_1$, \dots We then take all of the rules about how to make sentences from TFL, and add two more for $\ebox$ and~$\ediamond$:
\factoidbox{
\begin{compactlist}[labelindent=0pt,leftmargin=*]
\item Every atom of ML is a sentence of ML.
\item If $\metav{A}$ is a sentence of ML, then $\enot\metav{A}$ is a sentence of ML.
\item If $\metav{A}$ and $\metav{B}$ are sentences of ML, then $(\metav{A}\eand\metav{B})$ is a sentence of ML.
\item If $\metav{A}$ and $\metav{B}$ are sentences of ML, then $(\metav{A}\eor\metav{B})$ is a sentence of ML.
\item If $\metav{A}$ and $\metav{B}$ are sentences of ML, then $(\metav{A}\eif\metav{B})$ is a sentence of ML.
\item If $\metav{A}$ and $\metav{B}$ are sentences of ML, then $(\metav{A}\eiff\metav{B})$ is a sentence of ML.
\item If $\metav{A}$ is a sentence of ML, then $\ebox\metav{A}$ is a sentence of ML.
\item If $\metav{A}$ is a sentence of ML, then $\ediamond\metav{A}$ is a sentence of ML.
\item Nothing else is a sentence of ML.
\end{compactlist}}
Here are some examples of ML sentences:
\begin{align*}
& A\\
& P\eor Q\\
& \ebox A\\
& C\eor \ebox D\\
& \ebox\ebox (A\eif R)\\
& \ebox\ediamond (S\eand (Z\eiff (\ebox W \eor \ediamond Q)))
\end{align*}
\chapter{Natural deduction for ML}
\label{Proof}
Now that we know how to make sentences in ML, we can look at how to \emph{prove} things in ML. We will use $\proves$ to express provability. So $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n \proves \metav{C}$ means that $\metav{C}$ can be proven from $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n$. However, we will be looking at a number of different systems of ML, and so it will be useful to add a subscript to indicate which system we are working with. So for example, if we want to say that we can prove $\metav{C}$ from $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n$ \emph{in system}~\mlK, we will write: $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n \proves_\mlK \metav{C}$.
\section{System \mlK}
\label{K}
We start with a particularly simple system called \mlK, in honour of the philosopher and logician Saul Kripke. \mlK{} includes all of the natural deduction rules from TFL, including the derived rules as well as the basic ones. \mlK{} then adds a special kind of subproof, plus two new basic rules for \ebox.
The special kind of subproof looks like an ordinary subproof, except it has a~\ebox in its assumption line instead of a formula. We call them \emph{strict subproofs}---they allow as to reason and prove things about alternate possibilities. What we can prove inside a strict subproof holds in any alternate possibility, in particular, in alternate possibilities where the assumptions in force in our proof may not hold. In a strict subproofs, all assumptions are disregarded, and we are not allowed to appeal to any lines outside the strict subproof (except as allowed by the modal rules given below).
The \ebox I rule allows us to derive a formula $\ebox \metav{A}$ if we can derive $\metav{A}$ inside a strict subproof. It is our fundamental method of introducing \ebox{} into proofs. The basic idea is simple enough: if $\metav{A}$ is a theorem, then $\ebox \metav{A}$ should be a theorem too. (Remember that to call $\metav{A}$ a theorem is to say that we can prove $\metav{A}$ without relying on any undischarged assumptions.)
Suppose we wanted to prove $\ebox(A\eif A)$. The first thing we need to do is prove that $A\eif A$ is a theorem. You already know how to do that using TFL. You simply present a proof of $A\eif A$ which doesn't start with any premises, like this:
\begin{fitchproof}
\open
\hypo{1}{A}\AS
\have{2}{A}\by{R}{1}
\close
\have{3}{A\eif A}\ci{1-2}
\end{fitchproof}
But to apply \ebox I, we need to have proven the formula inside a strict subproof. Since our proof of $A \eif A$ makes use of no assumptions at all, this is possible.
\begin{fitchproof}
\open
\hypo{1}{\ebox}\AS
\open
\hypo{2}{A}\AS
\have{3}{A}\by{R}{2}
\close
\have{4}{A\eif A}\ci{2-3}
\close
\have{5}{\ebox(A\eif A)}\boxi{1-4}
\end{fitchproof}
\factoidbox{
\begin{fitchproof}
\open
\hypo[m]{m}{\ebox}\AS
\have[n]{n}{\metav{A}}
\close
\have[\,]{o}{\ebox\metav{A}}\boxi{m-n}
\end{fitchproof}
No line above line $m$ may be cited by any rule within the strict subproof begun at line $m$ unless the rule explicitly allows it.
}
It is essential to emphasize that in strict subproof you cannot use any rule which appeals to anything you proved outside of the strict subproof. There are exceptions, e.g., the \ebox E rule below. These rules will explicitly state that they can be used inside strict subproofs and cite lines outside the strict subproof. This restriction is essential, otherwise we would get terrible results. For example, we could provide the following proof to vindicate $A\therefore \ebox A$:
\begin{fitchproof}
\hypo{1}{A}\PR
\open
\hypo{2}{\ebox}\AS
\have{3}{A}\by{incorrect use of R}{1}
\close
\have{4}{\ebox A}\boxi{2-3}
\end{fitchproof}
This is not a legitimate proof, because at line 3 we appealed to line 1, even though line 1 comes before the beginning of the strict subproof at line 2.
We said above that a strict subproof allows us to reason about arbitrary alternate possible situations. What can be proved in a strict subproof holds in all alternate possible situtations, and so is necessary. This is the idea behind the \ebox I rule. On the other hand, if we've assumed that something is necessary, we have therewith assumed that it is true in all alternate possbile situations. Hence, we have the rule \ebox E:
\factoidbox{
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\ebox\metav{A}}
\open
\hypo[\ ]{o}{\ebox}\AS
\have[n]{n}{\metav{A}}\boxe{m}
\close
\end{fitchproof}
\ebox E can only be applied if line $m$ (containing $\ebox A$) lies \emph{outside} of the strict subproof in which line $n$ falls, and this strict subproof is not itself part of a strict subproof not containing~$m$.
}
\ebox E allows you to assert $\metav{A}$ inside a strict subproof if you have $\ebox \metav{A}$ outside the strict subproof. The restriction means that you can only do this in the first strict subproof, you cannot apply the \ebox E rule inside a nested strict subproof. So the following is not allowed:
\begin{fitchproof}
\have{1}{\ebox\metav{A}}
\open
\hypo{2}{\ebox}\AS
\open
\hypo{3}{\ebox}\AS
\have{4}{\metav{A}}\by{incorrect use of \ebox E}{1}
\close\close
\end{fitchproof}
The incorrect use of \ebox E on line~$4$ violates the condition, because although line~$1$ lies outside the strict subproof in which line~$4$ falls, the strict subproof containing line~$4$ lies inside the strict subproof beginning on line~$2$ which does not contain line~$1$.
Let's begin with an example.
\begin{fitchproof}
\hypo{1}{\ebox A}\PR
\hypo{2}{\ebox B}\PR
\open
\hypo{3}{\ebox}\AS
\have{4}{A}\boxe{1}
\have{5}{B}\boxe{2}
\have{6}{A \eand B}\ai{4,5}
\close
\have{6}{\ebox(A \land B)}\boxi{3-6}
\end{fitchproof}
We can also mix regular subproofs and strict subproofs:
\begin{fitchproof}
\hypo{1}{\ebox (A \eif B)}\PR
\open
\hypo{2}{\ebox A}\AS
\open
\hypo{3}{\ebox}\AS
\have{4}{A}\boxe{2}
\have{5}{A \eif B}\boxe{1}
\have{6}{B}\ce{4,5}
\close
\have{7}{\ebox B}\boxi{3-6}
\close
\have{8}{\ebox A \eif \ebox B} \ci{2-7}
\end{fitchproof}
This is called the \emph{Distribution Rule}, because it tells us that $\ebox$ `distributes' over $\eif$.
The rules \ebox I and \ebox E look simple enough, and indeed \mlK{} is a very simple system! But \mlK{} is more powerful than you might have thought. You can prove a fair few things in it.
\section{Possibility}
\label{possibility}
In the last subsection, we looked at all of the basic rules for \mlK. But you might have noticed that all of these rules were about necessity, $\ebox$, and none of them were about possibility, $\ediamond$. That's because we can \emph{define} possibility in terms of necessity:
\factoidbox{
$\ediamond\metav{A}=_{df} \enot \ebox\enot \metav{A}$
}
In other words, to say that $\metav{A}$ is \emph{possibly true}, is to say that $\metav{A}$ is \emph{not necessarily false}. As a result, it isn't really essential to add a $\ediamond$, a special symbol for possibility, into system \mlK. Still, the system will be \emph{much} easier to use if we do, and so we will add the following definitional rules:
\factoidbox{
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\enot\ebox\enot \metav{A}}
\have[\, ]{n}{\ediamond \metav{A}}\diadf{m}
\end{fitchproof}
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\ediamond \metav{A}}
\have[\, ]{n}{\enot\ebox\enot \metav{A}}\diadf{m}
\end{fitchproof}
}
Importantly, you should not think of these rules as any real addition to \mlK: they just record the way that $\ediamond$ is defined in terms of $\ebox$.
If we wanted, we could leave our rules for \mlK{} here. But it will be helpful to add some \emph{Modal Conversion} rules, which give us some more ways of flipping between $\ebox$ and $\ediamond$:
\factoidbox{
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\enot\ebox \metav{A}}
\have[\, ]{n}{\ediamond \enot\metav{A}}\mc{m}
\end{fitchproof}
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\ediamond \enot \metav{A}}
\have[\, ]{n}{\enot\ebox \metav{A}}\mc{m}
\end{fitchproof}
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\enot\ediamond \metav{A}}
\have[\, ]{n}{\ebox \enot\metav{A}}\mc{m}
\end{fitchproof}
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\ebox\enot \metav{A}}
\have[\, ]{n}{\enot\ediamond\metav{A}}\mc{m}
\end{fitchproof}
}
These Modal Conversion Rules are also no addition to the power of \mlK, because they can be derived from the basic rules, along with the definition of $\ediamond$.
In system \mlK, using Def\ediamond{} (or the modal conversion rules), one can prove $\ediamond A \eiff \enot\ebox\enot A$. When laying out system \mlK, we started with $\ebox$ as our primitive modal symbol, and then defined $\ediamond$ in terms of it. But if we had preferred, we could have started with $\ediamond$ as our primitive, and then defined $\ebox$ as follows: $\ebox\metav{A} =_{df} \enot \ediamond \enot \metav{A}$. There is, then, no sense in which necessity is somehow more \emph{fundamental} than possibility. Necessity and possibility are exactly as fundamental as each other.
\section{System \mlT}
\label{T}
So far we have focussed on \mlK, which is a very simple modal system. \mlK{} is so weak that it will not even let you prove $\metav{A}$ from $\ebox\metav{A}$. But if we are thinking of $\ebox$ as expressing \emph{necessity}, then we will want to be able to make this inference: if $\metav{A}$ is \emph{necessarily true}, then it must surely be \emph{true}!
This leads us to a new system, \mlT, which we get by adding the following rule to \mlK:
\factoidbox{
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\ebox \metav{A}}
\have[n]{n}{\metav{A}}\rt{m}
\end{fitchproof}
The line $n$ on which rule R\mlT{} is applied must \emph{not} lie in a strict subproof that begins after line~$m$.
}
The restriction on rule \mlT{} is in a way the opposite of the restriction on \ebox E: you can \emph{only} use \ebox E in a nested strict subproof, but you cannot use \mlT{} in a nested strict subproof.
We can prove things in \mlT{} which we could not prove in \mlK, e.g., $\ebox A \eif A$.
\section{System \mlSfour}
\label{S4}
\mlT{} allows you to strip away the necessity boxes: from $\ebox \metav{A}$, you may infer $\metav{A}$. But what if we wanted to add extra boxes? That is, what if we wanted to go from $\ebox\metav{A}$ to $\ebox\ebox\metav{A}$? Well, that would be no problem, if we had proved $\ebox\metav{A}$ by applying \ebox I to a strict subproof of $\metav{A}$ which itself does not use \ebox E. In that case, $\metav{A}$ is a tautology, and by nesting the strict subproof inside another strict subproof and applying \ebox I again, we can prove $\ebox\ebox \metav{A}$. For example, we could prove $\ebox\ebox (P\eif P)$ like this:
\begin{fitchproof}
\open
\hypo{1}{\ebox}\AS
\open
\hypo{2}{\ebox}\AS
\open
\hypo{3}{P}\AS
\have{4}{P}\by{R}{3}
\close
\have{5}{P\eif P}\ci{3-4}
\close
\have{6}{\ebox(P\eif P)}\boxi{2-5}
\close
\have{7}{\ebox\ebox(P\eif P)}\boxi{1-6}
\end{fitchproof}
But what if we didn't prove $\ebox\metav{A}$ in this restricted way, but used \ebox E inside the strict subproof of $\metav{A}$. If we put that strict subproof inside another strict subproof, the requirement of rule \ebox E to not cite a line containing $\ebox\metav{A}$ which lies in another strict subproof that has not yet concluded, is violated. Or what if $\ebox\metav{A}$ were just an assumption we started our proof with? Could we infer $\ebox\ebox\metav{A}$ then? Not in \mlT, we couldn't. And this might well strike you as a limitation of \mlT, at least if we are reading $\ebox$ as expressing \emph{necessity}. It seems intuitive that if $\metav{A}$ is necessarily true, then it couldn't have \emph{failed} to be necessarily true.
This leads us to another new system, \mlSfour, which we get by adding the following rule to~\mlT:
\factoidbox{
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\ebox\metav{A}}
\open
\hypo[\ ]{k}{\ebox}\AS
\have[n]{n}{\ebox\metav{A}}\rfour{m}
\close
\end{fitchproof}
Note that R$\mathbf{4}$ can only be applied if line $m$ (containing $\ebox A$) lies outside of the strict subproof in which line $n$ falls, and this strict subproof is not itself part of a strict subproof not containing~$m$.
}
Rule R$\mathbf{4}$ looks just like {\ebox}E, except that instead of yielding $\metav{A}$ from $\ebox\metav{A}$ it yields $\ebox\metav{A}$ inside a strict subproof. The restriction is the same, however: R$\mathbf{4}$ allows us to ``import'' $\ebox \metav{A}$ into a strict subproof, but not into a strict subproof itself nested inside a strict subproof. However, if that is necessary, an additional application of R$\mathbf{4}$ would have the same result.
Now we can prove even more results. For instance:
\begin{fitchproof}
\open
\hypo{1}{\ebox A}\AS
\open
\hypo{2}{\ebox}\AS
\have{3}{\ebox A}\rfour{1}
\close
\have{4}{\ebox\ebox A}\boxi{2-3}
\close
\have{5}{\ebox A \eif \ebox\ebox A}\ci{1-6}
\end{fitchproof}
Similarly, we can prove $\ediamond\ediamond A \eif \ediamond A$. This shows us that as well as letting us \emph{add} extra \emph{boxes}, \mlSfour{} lets us \emph{delete} extra \emph{diamonds}: from $\ediamond\ediamond \metav{A}$, you can always infer $\ediamond\metav{A}$.
\section{System \mlSfive}
\label{S5}
In \mlSfour, we can always add a box in front of another box. But \mlSfour{} does not automatically let us add a box in front of a \emph{diamond}. That is, \mlSfour{} does not generally permit the inference from $\ediamond\metav{A}$ to $\ebox\ediamond\metav{A}$. But again, that might strike you as a shortcoming, at least if you are reading $\ebox$ and $\ediamond$ as expressing \emph{necessity} and \emph{possibility}. It seems intuitive that if $\metav{A}$ is possibly true, then it couldn't have \emph{failed} to be possibly true.
This leads us to our final modal system, \mlSfive, which we get by adding the following rule to \mlSfour:
\factoidbox{
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\enot \ebox\metav{A}}
\open
\hypo[\ ]{k}{\ebox}\AS
\have[n]{n}{\enot\ebox\metav{A}}\rfive{m}
\close
\end{fitchproof}
Rule R$\mathbf{5}$ can only be applied if line $m$ (containing $\enot \ebox\metav{A}$) lies outside of the strict subproof in which line $n$ falls, and this strict subproof is not itself part of a strict subproof not containing line~$m$.
}
This rule allows us to show, for instance, that $\ediamond\ebox A\proves_\mlSfive \ebox A$:
\begin{fitchproof}
\hypo{1}{\ediamond\ebox A}\PR
\have{2}{\enot\ebox\enot\ebox A}\by{Def\ediamond}{1}
\open
\hypo{3}{\enot \ebox A}\AS
\open
\hypo{4}{\ebox}\AS
\have{5}{\enot\ebox A}\rfive{3}
\close
\have{6}{\ebox\enot\ebox A}\boxi{4-5}
\have{7}{\ered}\ne{2,6}
\close
\have{8}{\ebox A}\by{IP}{3-7}
\end{fitchproof}
So, as well as adding boxes in front of diamonds, we can also delete diamonds in front of boxes.
We got \mlSfive{} by adding the rule~R$\mathbf{5}$ to~\mlSfour. In
fact, we could have added rule~R$\mathbf{5}$ to \mlT{}, left out
rule~R$\mathbf{4}$, and obtained an equivalent system. That's because
everything we can prove using rule~R$\mathbf{4}$ can also be proved
using R\mlT{} together with~R$\mathbf{5}$. For instance, here is a
proof that shows $\ebox A \proves_\mlSfive \ebox\ebox A$ without
using~R$\mathbf{4}$:
\begin{fitchproof}
\hypo{1}{\ebox A}\PR
\open
\hypo{2}{\ebox\enot\ebox A}\AS
\have{3}{\enot\ebox A}\rt{2}
\have{4}{\ered}\ne{1,3}
\close
\have{5}{\enot\ebox\enot\ebox A}\ni{2-4}
\open
\hypo{6}{\ebox}\AS
\open
\hypo{7}{\enot\ebox A}\AS
\open
\hypo{8}{\ebox}\AS
\have{9}{\enot\ebox A}\rfive{7}
\close
\have{10}{\ebox \enot\ebox A}\boxi{8-9}
\have{11}{\enot\ebox\enot\ebox A}\rfive{5}
\have{12}{\ered}\ne{10,11}
\close
\have{13}{\ebox A}\ip{7-12}
\close
\have{14}{\ebox\ebox A}\boxi{6-13}
\end{fitchproof}
\mlSfive{} is \emph{strictly stronger} than \mlSfour: there are things which can be proved in \mlSfive, but not in \mlSfour{} (e.g., $\ediamond\ebox A \eif \ebox A$).
The important point about \mlSfive{} can be put like this: if you have a long string of boxes and diamonds, in any combination whatsoever, you can delete all but the last of them. So for example, $\ediamond\ebox\ediamond\ediamond\ebox\ebox\ediamond\ebox A$ can be simplified down to just $\ebox A$.
\practiceproblems
\problempart
Provide proofs for the following:
\begin{compactlist}
\item $\ebox (A\eand B)\proves_\mlK\ebox A \eand \ebox B$
\item $\ebox A\eand\ebox B\proves_\mlK\ebox( A \eand B)$
\item $\ebox A\eor\ebox B\proves_\mlK\ebox( A \eor B)$
\item $\ebox (A \eiff B)\proves_\mlK \ebox A \eiff \ebox B$
\end{compactlist}
\problempart
Provide proofs for the following (without using Modal Conversion!):
\begin{compactlist}
\item $\enot\ebox A\proves_\mlK \ediamond \enot A$
\item $\ediamond\enot A\proves_\mlK\enot \ebox A$
\item $\enot\ediamond A\proves_\mlK\ebox\enot A$
\item $\ebox\enot A\proves_\mlK\enot\ediamond A$
\end{compactlist}
\problempart
Provide proofs of the following (and now feel free to use Modal Conversion!):
\begin{compactlist}
\item $\ebox(A\eif B), \ediamond A \proves_\mlK \ediamond B$
\item $\ebox A \proves_\mlK \enot\ediamond\enot A$
\item $\enot\ediamond\enot A \proves_\mlK \ebox A$
\end{compactlist}
\problempart
Provide proofs for the following:
\begin{compactlist}
\item $P\proves_\mlT\ediamond P$
\item $\proves_\mlT (A\eand B)\eor(\enot \ebox A\eor\enot\ebox B)$
\end{compactlist}
\problempart
Provide proofs for the following:
\begin{compactlist}
\item $\ebox(\ebox A\eif B), \ebox (\ebox B\eif C), \ebox A \proves_\mlSfour \ebox\ebox C$
\item $\ebox A \proves_\mlSfour \ebox(\ebox A \eor B)$
\item $\ediamond \ediamond A \proves_\mlSfour \ediamond A$
\end{compactlist}
\problempart
Provide proofs in \mlSfive{} for the following:
\begin{compactlist}
\item $\enot\ebox\enot A, \ediamond B\proves_\mlSfive \ebox(\ediamond A \eand \ediamond B)$
\item $A \proves_\mlSfive \ebox\ediamond A$
\item $\ediamond\ediamond A\proves_\mlSfive \ediamond A$
\end{compactlist}
\chapter{Semantics for ML}
\label{Semantics}
So far, we have focussed on laying out various systems of Natural Deduction for ML. Now we will look at the \emph{semantics} for ML. A semantics for a language is a method for assigning truth-values to the sentences in that language. So a semantics for ML is a method for assigning truth-values to the sentences of ML.
\section{Interpretations of ML}
The big idea behind the semantics for ML is this. In ML, sentences are not just true or false, full stop. A sentence is true or false \emph{at a given possible world}, and a single sentence may well be true at some worlds and false at others. We then say that $\ebox \metav{A}$ is true \ifeff{} $\metav{A}$ is true at \emph{every} world, and $\ediamond\metav{A}$ is true \ifeff{} $\metav{A}$ is true at \emph{some} world.
That's the big idea, but we need to refine it and make it more precise. To do this, we need to introduce the idea of an \emph{interpretation} of ML. The first thing you need to include in an interpretation is a collection of \emph{possible worlds}. Now, at this point you might well want to ask: What exactly is a possible world? The intuitive idea is that a possible world is another way that this world could have been. But what exactly does that mean? This is an excellent philosophical question, and we will look at it in a lot of detail later. But we do not need to worry too much about it right now. As far as the formal logic goes, possible worlds can be anything you like. All that matters is that you supply each interpretation with a non-empty collection of things labelled \define{possible worlds}.
Once you have chosen your collection of possible worlds, you need to find some way of determining which sentences of ML are true at which possible worlds. To do that, we need to introduce the notion of a \emph{valuation function}. Those of you who have studied some maths will already be familiar with the general idea of a function. But for those of you who haven't, a function is a mathematical entity which maps arguments to values. That might sound a little bit abstract, but some familiar examples will help. Take the function $x+1$. This is a function which takes in a number as argument, and then spits out the next number as value. So if you feed in the number $1$ as an argument, the function $x+1$ will spit out the number $2$ as a value; if you feed in $2$, it will spit out $3$; if you feed in $3$, it will spit out $4$ \dots Or here is another example: the function $x+y$. This time, you have to feed two arguments into this function if you want it to return a value: if you feed in $2$ and $3$ as your arguments, it spits out $5$; if you feed in $1003$ and $2005$, it spits out $3008$; and so on.
A valuation function for ML takes in a sentence and a world as its arguments, and then returns a truth-value as its value. So if $\nu$ is a valuation function and $w$ is a possible world, $\nu_w(\metav{A})$ is whatever truth-value $\nu$ maps $\metav{A}$ and $w$ to: if $\nu_w(\metav{A})=F$, then $\metav{A}$ is false at world $w$ on valuation $\nu$; if $\nu_w(\metav{A})=T$, then $\metav{A}$ is true at world $w$ on valuation $\nu$.
These valuation functions are allowed to map any \emph{atomic} sentence to any truth-value at any world. But there are rules about which truth-values more complex sentences get assigned at a world. Here are the rules for the connectives from TFL:
\begin{compactlist}
\item $\nu_w(\enot\metav{A})=T$ \ifeff{} $\nu_w(\metav{A})=F$
\item $\nu_w(\metav{A}\eand\metav{B})=T$ \ifeff{} $\nu_w(\metav{A})=T$ and $\nu_w(\metav{B})=T$
\item $\nu_w(\metav{A}\eor\metav{B})=T$ \ifeff{} $\nu_w(\metav{A})=T$ or $\nu_w(\metav{B})=T$, or both
\item $\nu_w(\metav{A}\eif\metav{B})=T$ \ifeff{} $\nu_w(\metav{A})=F$ or $\nu_w(\metav{B})=T$, or both
\item $\nu_w(\metav{A}\eiff\metav{B})=T$ \ifeff{} $\nu_w(\metav{A})=T$ and $\nu_w(\metav{B})=T$, or $\nu_w(\metav{A})=F$ and $\nu_w(\metav{B})=F$
\end{compactlist}
So far, these rules should all look very familiar. Essentially, they all work exactly like the truth-tables for TFL. The only difference is that these truth-table rules have to be applied over and over again, to one world at a time.
But what are the rules for the new modal operators, $\ebox$ and $\ediamond$? The most obvious idea would be to give rules like these:
\begin{itemize}
\item $\nu_w(\ebox \metav{A})=T$ \ifeff{} $\forall w' (\nu_{w'}(\metav{A})=T)$
\item $\nu_w(\ediamond \metav{A})=T$ \ifeff{} $\exists w' (\nu_{w'}(\metav{A})=T)$
\end{itemize}
This is just the fancy formal way of writing out the idea that $\ebox\metav{A}$ is true at $w$ just in case $\metav{A}$ is true at \emph{every} world, and $\ediamond\metav{A}$ is true at $w$ just in case $\metav{A}$ is true at \emph{some} world.
However, while these rules are nice and simple, they turn out not to be quite as useful as we would like. As we mentioned, ML is meant to be a very flexible tool. It is meant to be a general framework for dealing with lots of different kinds of necessity. As a result, we want our semantic rules for $\ebox$ and $\ediamond$ to be a bit less rigid. We can do this by introducing another new idea: \emph{accessibility relations}.
An accessibility relation, $R$, is a relation between possible worlds. Roughly, to say that $Rw_1w_2$ (in English: world $w_1$ \emph{accesses} world $w_2$) is to say that $w_2$ is possible \emph{relative to} $w_1$. In other words, by introducing accessibility relations, we open up the idea that a given world might be possible relative to some worlds but not others. This turns out to be a \emph{very} fruitful idea when studying modal systems. We can now give the following semantic rules for $\ebox$ and $\ediamond$:
\begin{compactlist}[resume]
\item $\nu_{w_1}(\ebox \metav{A})=T$ \ifeff{} $\forall w_2 (Rw_1w_2\eif \nu_{w_2}(\metav{A})=T)$
\item $\nu_{w_1}(\ediamond \metav{A})=T$ \ifeff{} $\exists w_2 (Rw_1w_2\eand \nu_{w_2}(\metav{A})=T)$
\end{compactlist}
Or in plain English: $\ebox\metav{A}$ is true in world $w_1$ \ifeff{} $\metav{A}$ is true in every world that is possible relative to $w_1$; and $\ediamond\metav{A}$ is true in world $w_1$ \ifeff{} $\metav{A}$ is true in some world that is possible relative to $w_1$.
So, there we have it. An interpretation for ML consists of three things: a collection of possible worlds, $W$; an accessibility relation, $R$; and a valuation function, $\nu$. The collection of `possible worlds' can really be a collection of anything you like. It really doesn't matter, so long as $W$ isn't empty. (For many purposes, it is helpful just to take a collection of numbers to be your collection of worlds.) And for now, at least, $R$ can be any relation between the worlds in $W$ that you like. It could be a relation which every world in $W$ bears to every world in $W$, or one which no world bears to any world, or anything in between. And lastly, $\nu$ can map any atomic sentence of ML to any truth-value at any world. All that matters is that it follows the rules (1)--(7) when it comes to the more complex sentences.
Let's look at an example. It is often helpful to present interpretations of ML as diagrams, like this:
\begin{center}
\begin{arialabel}{The numbers 1 and 2 are connected by arrows. There are arrows from 1 to itself, and from 2 to 1. Node 1 is labelled by A and not-B. Node 2 is labelled by not-A and B.}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\node (atom1) at (0,1) {1};
\node (atom2) at (3,1) {2};
\node (atom3) at (-0.25,0) {$A$};
\node (atom4) at (3,0) {$\enot A$};
\node (atom5) at (-0.25,-0.7) {$\enot B$};
\node (atom6) at (3,-0.7) {$B$};
\draw[->, thick] (atom1)+(-0.15,0.15) arc (-330:-30:.3);
%\draw[->, thick] (atom2)+(0.15,-0.15) arc (-150:150:.3);
\draw[<-, thick] (atom1) -- (atom2);
\draw (-0.8,-1.2) rectangle (0.4,0.5);
\draw (2.4,-1.2) rectangle (3.6,0.5);
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{arialabel}
\end{center}
Here is how to read the interpretation off from this diagram. It contains just two worlds, 1 and 2. The arrows between the worlds indicate the accessibility relation. So 1 and 2 both access 1, but neither 1 nor 2 accesses 2. The boxes at each world let us know which atomic sentences are true at each world: $A$ is true at 1 but false at 2; $B$ is false at 1 but true at 2. You may only write an atomic sentence or the negation of an atomic sentence into one of these boxes. We can figure out what truth-values the more complex sentences get at each world from that. For example, on this interpretation all of the following sentences are true at $w_1$:
\[
A\eand\enot B,\qquad B\eif A,\qquad \ediamond A,\qquad \ebox\enot B
\]
If you don't like thinking diagrammatically, then you can also present an interpretation like this:
\begin{ekey}
\item[W]$1,2$
\item[R]$\langle 1,1\rangle, \langle 2,1\rangle$
\item[\nu]$\nu_{1}(A)=T, \nu_{1}(B)=F, \nu_{2}(A)=F, \nu_{2}(B)=T$
\end{ekey}
You will get the chance to cook up some interpretations of your own shortly, when we start looking at \emph{counter-interpretations}.
\section{A Semantics for System \mlK}
\label{SemanticsK}
We can now extend all of the semantic concepts of TFL to cover ML:
\factoidbox{
\begin{factoiditems}
\item $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots
\metav{A}_n\therefore\metav{C}$ is \define{modally valid} \ifeff{}
there is no world in any interpretation at which
$\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n$ are all true and
$\metav{C}$ is false.
\item $\metav{A}$ is a \define{modal truth} \ifeff{} $\metav{A}$
is true at every world in every interpretation.
\item $\metav{A}$ is a \define{modal contradiction} \ifeff{}
$\metav{A}$ is false at every world in every interpretation.
\item $\metav{A}$ is \define{modally satisfiable} \ifeff{}
$\metav{A}$ is true at some world in some interpretation.
\end{factoiditems}
}
(From now on we will drop the explicit `modal' qualifications, since they can be taken as read.)
We can also extend our use of $\entails$. However, we need to add subscripts again, just as we did with $\proves$. So, when we want to say that $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\therefore\metav{C}$ is valid, we will write: $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlK\metav{C}$.
Let's get more of a feel for this semantics by presenting some counter-interpretations. Consider the following (false) claim:
\[\enot A\entails_\mlK \enot \ediamond A\]
In order to present a counter-interpretation to this claim, we need to cook up an interpretation which makes $\enot A$ true at some world $w$, and $\enot\ediamond A$ false at $w$. Here is one such interpretation, presented diagrammatically:
\begin{center}
\begin{arialabel}{The numbers 1 and 2 are connected by an arrow from 1 to 2. Node 1 is labelled not-A and node 2 is labelled A.}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\node (atom1) at (0,1) {1};
\node (atom2) at (3,1) {2};
\node (atom3) at (-0.25,0) {$\enot A$};
\node (atom4) at (3,0) {$A$};
\draw[->, thick] (atom1) -- (atom2);
\draw (-0.8,-0.6) rectangle (0.4,0.5);
\draw (2.4,-0.6) rectangle (3.6,0.5);
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{arialabel}
\end{center}
It is easy to see that this will work as a counter-interpretation for our claim. First, $\enot A$ is true at world $1$. And second, $\enot\ediamond A$ is false at $1$: $A$ is true at $2$, and $2$ is accessible from $1$. So there is some world in this interpretation where $\enot A$ is true and $\enot\ediamond A$ is false, so it is not the case that $\enot A\entails_\mlK\enot\ediamond A$.
Why did we choose the subscript \mlK? Well, it turns out that there is an important relationship between system \mlK{} and the definition of validity we have just given. In particular, we have the following two results:
\begin{compactlist}
\item If $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\proves_\mlK\metav{C}$, then $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlK\metav{C}$
\item If $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlK\metav{C}$, then $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\proves_\mlK\metav{C}$
\end{compactlist}
The first result is known as a \emph{soundness} result, since it tells us that the rules of \mlK{} are good, sound rules: if you can vindicate an argument by giving a proof for it using system \mlK, then that argument really is valid. The second result is known as a \emph{completeness} result, since it tells us that the rules of \mlK{} are broad enough to capture all of the valid arguments: if an argument is valid, then it will be possible to offer a proof in \mlK{} which vindicates it.
Now, it is one thing to state these results, quite another to prove them. However, we will not try to prove them here. But the idea behind the proof of soundness will perhaps make clearer how strict subproofs work.
In a strict subproof, we are not allowed to make use of any information from outside the strict subproof, except what we import into the strict subproof using \ebox E. If we've assumed or proved $\ebox \metav{A}$, by \ebox E, we can used $\metav{A}$ inside a strict subproof. And in \mlK, that is the only way to import a formula into a strict subproof. So everything that can be proved inside a strict subproof must follow from formulas $\metav{A}$ where outside the strict subproof we have $\ebox \metav{A}$. Let's imagine that we are reasoning about what's true in a possible world in some interpretation. If we know that $\ebox\metav{A}$ is true in that possible world, we know that $\metav{A}$ is true in all accessible worlds. So, everything proved inside a strict subproof is true in all accessible possible worlds. That is why \ebox I is a sound rule.
\section{A Semantics for System \mlT}
\label{SemanticsT}
A few moments ago, we said that system \mlK{} is sound and complete. Where does that leave the other modal systems we looked at, namely \mlT, \mlSfour{} and \mlSfive? Well, they are all \emph{unsound}, relative to the definition of validity we gave above. For example, all of these systems allow us to infer $A$ from $\ebox A$, even though $\ebox A\nentails_\mlK A$.
Does that mean that these systems are a waste of time? Not at all! These systems are only unsound \emph{relative to the definition of validity we gave above}. (Or to use symbols, they are unsound relative to $\entails_\mlK$.) So when we are dealing with these stronger modal systems, we just need to modify our definition of validity to fit. This is where accessibility relations come in really handy.
When we introduced the idea of an accessibility relation, we said that it could be any relation between worlds that you like: you could have it relating every world to every world, no world to any world, or anything in between. That is how we were thinking of accessibility relations in our definition of $\entails_\mlK$. But if we wanted, we could start putting some restrictions on the accessibility relation. In particular, we might insist that it has to be \emph{reflexive}:
\[\forall w\, Rww\]
In English: every world accesses itself. Or in terms of relative possibility: every world is possible relative to itself. If we imposed this restriction, we could introduce a new consequence relation, $\entails_\mlT$, as follows:
\factoidbox{
$\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlT \metav{C}$ \ifeff{} there is no world in any interpretation \emph{which has a reflexive accessibility relation}, at which $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n$ are all true and $\metav{C}$ is false
}
We have attached the \mlT{} subscript to $\entails$ because it turns out that system \mlT{} is sound and complete relative to this new definition of validity:
\begin{compactlist}
\item If $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\proves_\mlT\metav{C}$, then $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlT\metav{C}$
\item If $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlT\metav{C}$, then $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\proves_\mlT\metav{C}$
\end{compactlist}
As before, we will not try to prove these soundness and completeness results. However, it is relatively easy to see how insisting that the accessibility relation must be reflexive will vindicate the R\mlT{} rule:
\factoidbox{
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\ebox \metav{A}}
\have[\, ]{n}{\metav{A}}\rt{m}
\end{fitchproof}
}
To see this, just imagine trying to cook up a counter-interpretation to this claim:
\[
\ebox \metav{A}\entails_\mlT \metav{A}
\]
We would need to construct a world, $w$, at which $\ebox \metav{A}$ was true, but $\metav{A}$ was false. Now, if $\ebox \metav{A}$ is true at $w$, then $\metav{A}$ must be true at every world $w$ accesses. But since the accessibility relation is reflexive, $w$ accesses $w$. So $\metav{A}$ must be true at $w$. But now $\metav{A}$ must be true \emph{and} false at $w$. Contradiction!
\section{A Semantics for \mlSfour}
\label{SemanticsS4}
How else might we tweak our definition of validity? Well, we might also stipulate that the accessibility relation has to be \emph{transitive}:
\[\forall w_1\forall w_2\forall w_3 ((Rw_1w_2 \eand Rw_2w_3)\eif Rw_1w_3)\]
In English: if $w_1$ accesses $w_2$, and $w_2$ accesses $w_3$, then $w_1$ accesses $w_3$. Or in terms of relative possibility: if $w_3$ is possible relative to $w_2$, and $w_2$ is possible relative to $w_1$, then $w_3$ is possible relative to $w_1$. If we added this restriction on our accessibility relation, we could introduce a new consequence relation, $\entails_\mlSfour$, as follows:
\factoidbox{
$\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlSfour \metav{C}$ \ifeff{} there is no world in any interpretation \emph{which has a reflexive and transitive accessibility relation}, at which $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n$ are all true and $\metav{C}$ is false
}
We have attached the \mlSfour{} subscript to $\entails$ because it turns out that system \mlSfour{} is sound and complete relative to this new definition of validity:
\begin{compactlist}
\item If $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\proves_\mlSfour\metav{C}$, then $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlSfour\metav{C}$
\item If $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlSfour\metav{C}$, then $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\proves_\mlSfour\metav{C}$
\end{compactlist}
As before, we will not try to prove these soundness and completeness results. However, it is relatively easy to see how insisting that the accessibility relation must be transitive will vindicate the \mlSfour{} rule:
\factoidbox{
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\ebox\metav{A}}
\open
\hypo[\ ]{k}{\ebox}\AS
\have[\ ]{n}{\ebox\metav{A}}\rfour{m}
\end{fitchproof}
}
The idea behind strict subproofs, remember, is that they are ways to prove things that must be true in all accessible worlds. So the R$\mathbf{4}$ rule means that whenever $\ebox \metav{A}$ is true, $\ebox \metav{A}$ must also be true in every accessible world. In other words, we must have $\ebox\metav{A} \entails_\mlSfour \ebox\ebox\metav{A}$.
To see this, just imagine trying to cook up a counter-interpretation to this claim:
\[\ebox\metav{A} \entails_\mlSfour \ebox \ebox \metav{A}\]
We would need to construct a world, $w_1$, at which $\ebox\metav{A}$ was true, but $\ebox \ebox \metav{A}$ was false. Now, if $\ebox \ebox \metav{A}$ is false at $w_1$, then $w_1$ must access some world, $w_2$, at which $\ebox\metav{A}$ is false. Equally, if $\ebox \metav{A}$ is false at $w_2$, then $w_2$ must access some world, $w_3$, at which $\metav{A}$ is false. We just said that $w_1$ accesses $w_2$, and $w_2$ accesses $w_3$. So since we are now insisting that the accessibility relation be transitive, $w_1$ must access $w_3$. And as $\ebox\metav{A}$ is true at $w_1$, and $w_3$ is accessible from $w_1$, it follows that $\metav{A}$ must be true at $w_3$. So $\metav{A}$ is true \emph{and} false at $w_3$. Contradiction!
\section{A Semantics for \mlSfive}
\label{SemanticsS5}
Let's put one more restriction on the accessibility relation. This time, let's insist that it must also be \emph{symmetric}:
\[\forall w_1\forall w_2(Rw_1w_2 \eif Rw_2w_1)\]
In English: if $w_1$ accesses $w_2$, then $w_2$ accesses $w_1$. Or in terms of relative possibility: if $w_2$ is possible relative to $w_1$, then $w_1$ is possible relative to $w_2$. Logicians call a relation that is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive an \emph{equivalence} relation. We can now define a new consequence relation, $\entails_\mlSfive $, as follows:
\factoidbox{
$\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlSfive \metav{C}$ \ifeff{} there is no world in any interpretation \emph{whose accessibility relation is an equivalence relation}, at which $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n$ are all true and $\metav{C}$ is false
}
We have attached the \mlSfive{} subscript to $\entails$ because it turns out that system \mlSfive{} is sound and complete relative to this new definition of validity:
\begin{compactlist}
\item If $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\proves_\mlSfive \metav{C}$, then $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlSfive \metav{C}$
\item If $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlSfive \metav{C}$, then $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\proves_\mlSfive \metav{C}$
\end{compactlist}
As before, we will not try to prove these soundness and completeness results here. However, it is relatively easy to see how insisting that the accessibility relation must be an equivalence relation will vindicate the R$\mathbf{5}$ rule:
\factoidbox{
\begin{fitchproof}
\have[m]{m}{\enot\ebox \metav{A}}
\open
\hypo[\ ]{k}{\ebox}\AS
\have[\, ]{n}{\enot\ebox\metav{A}}\rfive{m}
\end{fitchproof}
}
The rule says that if $\metav{A}$ is not necessary, i.e., false in some accessible world, it is also not necessary in any accessible possible world, i.e., we have $\enot\ebox \metav{A} \proves_\mlSfive \ebox\enot\ebox \metav{A}$.
To see this, just imagine trying to cook up a counter-interpretation to this claim:
\[
\enot\ebox\metav{A} \entails_\mlSfive \ebox \enot\ebox \metav{A}
\]
We would need to construct a world, $w_1$, at which $\enot\ebox\metav{A}$ was true, but $\ebox \enot\ebox \metav{A}$ was false.
Now, if $\enot\ebox\metav{A}$ is true at $w_1$, then $w_1$ must access some world, $w_2$, at which $\metav{A}$ is false. Equally, if $\ebox \enot\ebox \metav{A}$ is false at $w_1$, then $w_1$ must access some world, $w_3$, at which $\enot\ebox \metav{A}$ is false. Since we are now insisting that the accessibility relation is an equivalence relation, and hence symmetric, we can infer that $w_3$ accesses $w_1$. Thus, $w_3$ accesses $w_1$, and $w_1$ accesses $w_2$. Again, since we are now insisting that the accessibility relation is an equivalence relation, and hence transitive, we can infer that $w_3$ accesses $w_2$. But earlier we said that $\enot\ebox \metav{A}$ is false at $w_3$, which implies that $\metav{A}$ is true at every world which $w_3$ accesses. So $\metav{A}$ is true \emph{and} false at $w_2$. Contradiction!
In the definition of $\entails_\mlSfive $, we stipulated that the accessibility relation must be an equivalence relation. But it turns out that there is another way of getting a notion of validity fit for \mlSfive. Rather than stipulating that the accessibility relation be an equivalence relation, we can instead stipulate that it be a \emph{universal} relation:
\[\forall w_1\forall w_2\, Rw_1w_2\]
In English: every world accesses every world. Or in terms of relative possibility: every world is possible relative to every world. Using this restriction on the accessibility relation, we could have defined $\entails_\mlSfive $ like this:
\factoidbox{
$\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n\entails_\mlSfive \metav{C}$ \ifeff{} there is no world in any interpretation \emph{which has a universal accessibility relation}, at which $\metav{A}_1,\metav{A}_2, \dots \metav{A}_n$ are all true and $\metav{C}$ is false.
}
If we defined $\entails_\mlSfive $ like this, we would still get the same soundness and completeness results for \mlSfive. What does this tell us? Well, it means that if we are dealing with a notion of necessity according to which \emph{every} world is possible relative to \emph{every} world, then we should use \mlSfive. What is more, most philosophers assume that the notions of necessity that they are most concerned with, like \emph{logical necessity} and \emph{metaphysical necessity}, are of exactly this kind. So \mlSfive{} is the modal system that most philosophers use most of the time.
\practiceproblems
\problempart
Present counter-interpretations to the following false claims:
\begin{compactlist}
\item $\enot P \entails_\mlK \enot\ediamond P$
\item $\ebox(P \eor Q)\entails_\mlK \ebox P \eor \ebox Q$
\item $\entails_\mlK \enot \ebox (A\eand \enot A)$
\item $\ebox A\entails_\mlK A$
\end{compactlist}
\problempart
Present counter-interpretations to the following false claims:
\begin{compactlist}
\item $\ediamond A\entails_\mlSfour \ebox\ediamond A$
\item $\ediamond A, \ebox (\ediamond A \eif B)\entails_\mlSfour\ebox B$
\end{compactlist}
\problempart
Present counter-interpretations to the following false claims:
\begin{compactlist}
\item $\ebox (M\eif O),\ediamond M\entails_\mlT O$
\item $\ebox A\entails_\mlT \ebox \ebox A$
\end{compactlist}
\section*{Further reading}
Modal logic is a large subfield of logic. We have only scratched the surface. If you want to learn more about modal logic, here are some textbooks you might consult.
\begin{itemize}
\item George E. Hughes and Max J. Cresswell, \textit{A New Introduction
to Modal Logic}, Oxford: Routledge, 1996.
\item Graham Priest, \textit{An Introduction to Non-Classical Logic},
2nd ed., Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008.
\item James W. Garson, \textit{Modal Logic for Philosophers}, 2nd
ed., Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013.
\end{itemize}
None of these authors formulate their modal proof systems in quite the way we did, but the closest formulation is given by Garson.