Logics

Research

12 pages, 202 KB

Open AccessArticle

Two Classes of Intensifiers in Mandarin Chinese: From Subjectivity to Evidentiality

by Jiayi Zhou

Logics 2026, 4(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/logics4010003 - 9 Mar 2026

Viewed by 335

This article investigates two distinct classes of intensifiers in Mandarin Chinese, ordinary intensifiers (Class I) and subjective intensifiers (Class II). Intensifiers from Class II, such as zhēn “really”, cannot be used in the following cases: (i) interrogatives, (ii) sentences containing epistemic modals, (iii) [...] Read more.

This article investigates two distinct classes of intensifiers in Mandarin Chinese, ordinary intensifiers (Class I) and subjective intensifiers (Class II). Intensifiers from Class II, such as zhēn “really”, cannot be used in the following cases: (i) interrogatives, (ii) sentences containing epistemic modals, (iii) sentences with negation or as conditional antecedents, (iv) sentences containing attitude predicates, and (v) contexts lacking firsthand experience. This paper argues that evidentiality, as a conceptual framework concerning the source of knowledge, can account for these phenomena related to Class II intensifiers. Specifically, in this study, evidentiality constraints on both the subject and the manner of the information source. The subject must be the speaker, and the information must be acquired as firsthand experience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Logic, Language, and Information)

11 pages, 271 KB

Open AccessArticle

Forcing for an Optimal A-Translation

by Rui Li

Logics 2026, 4(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/logics4010002 - 3 Feb 2026

Viewed by 401

Abstract

Kripke semantics for intuitionistic predicate logic

IQC

is often viewed as a forcing relation between posets and formulas. In this paper, we further introduce Cohen forcing into semantics. In particular, we use generic filters to interpret the double-negation translations from classical first-order logic [...] Read more.

Kripke semantics for intuitionistic predicate logic

IQC

is often viewed as a forcing relation between posets and formulas. In this paper, we further introduce Cohen forcing into semantics. In particular, we use generic filters to interpret the double-negation translations from classical first-order logic to the intuitionistic version. It explains how our method interprets classical theories into constructive ones. In addition, our approach is generalized to Friedman’s A-translation. Consequently, we propose an optimal A-translation that extends the class of theorems that are conserved from a classical theory to its intuitionistic counterpart. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Logic, Language, and Information)

10 pages, 510 KB

Open AccessArticle

Formalizing the Interaction Between Evidentiality and Egophoricity: A Multi-Modal Logic for Tibetan Epistemic Systems

by Jiahong Wang

Logics 2026, 4(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/logics4010001 - 16 Jan 2026

Viewed by 414

Abstract

Golog Tibetan grammaticalizes both evidentiality and egophoricity, but the two categories interact in a constrained way: evidential marking neutralizes the binary egophoric versus non-egophoric contrast. This paper develops LEE (Logic of Evidentiality and Egophoricity), a multi-modal logic that formalizes this interaction. LEE employs [...] Read more.

Golog Tibetan grammaticalizes both evidentiality and egophoricity, but the two categories interact in a constrained way: evidential marking neutralizes the binary egophoric versus non-egophoric contrast. This paper develops LEE (Logic of Evidentiality and Egophoricity), a multi-modal logic that formalizes this interaction. LEE employs operators □_EGO, □_SENS, and □_INF for egophoric, sensory-evidential, and inferential-evidential markers, respectively. The blocking effect is captured by axioms □_σφ → (□_EGOφ ↔ ◇_EGOφ) for σ ∈ {SENS, INF}. This paper establishes soundness, completeness, and decidability for LEE. Three empirical puzzles receive unified explanation: (i) blocking of egophoric vs. non-egophoric contrasts under evidential marking, (ii) semantic bleaching of egophoric morphology in evidential contexts, and (iii) the unidirectional nature of the evidential–egophoric interaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Logic, Language, and Information)

20 pages, 340 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Dynamic Typology of Adjectives: Measurement Theory and Syntactic Interaction

by Ling Sun

Logics 2025, 3(4), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/logics3040017 - 15 Dec 2025

Viewed by 736

Abstract

Traditional degree semantics approaches have aimed to pin down the inherent class of adjectives. This paper presents a novel dynamic perspective, where the classification of an adjective is dynamic and syntactically dependent. Using measurement theory and fuzzy set analysis, the proposed framework defines [...] Read more.

Traditional degree semantics approaches have aimed to pin down the inherent class of adjectives. This paper presents a novel dynamic perspective, where the classification of an adjective is dynamic and syntactically dependent. Using measurement theory and fuzzy set analysis, the proposed framework defines dynamic patterns of adjective classes with a set of axioms and integrates these patterns with syntactic structures to explain the flexibility and constraints observed in adjectival expressions. Employing Mandarin data, the paper illustrates how different syntactic constructions select specific adjective classes, thereby affecting their distribution and interpretation. This approach not only accommodates cross-linguistic variations but also provides a more comprehensive understanding of the semantics of adjectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Logic, Language, and Information)

18 pages, 282 KB

Open AccessArticle

Not Strictly a Woman—QUD-Based Four-Valent Reasoning Discharges Lexical Meaning

by Emil Eva Rosina and Franci Mangraviti

Logics 2025, 3(4), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/logics3040016 - 11 Dec 2025

Viewed by 737

Abstract

We offer a framework that captures both context-dependency and vagueness of predicate meanings—illustrated by the politically relevant case of woman—as an interaction of lexical meaning and Question under Discussion (‘QUD’). We extend existing approaches to non-maximality to superficially polysemous predicates like woman [...] Read more.

We offer a framework that captures both context-dependency and vagueness of predicate meanings—illustrated by the politically relevant case of woman—as an interaction of lexical meaning and Question under Discussion (‘QUD’). We extend existing approaches to non-maximality to superficially polysemous predicates like woman and show that this is conceptually coherent and insightful for a linguistic analysis of political debates about gender invitation policies: while there are (i) clear, semantically true, and (ii) strictly unacceptable cases of x is a woman, there are also (iii) merely pragmatically acceptable cases (‘like a woman with respect to the QUD’) as well as (iv) truly vague ones. We argue that this four-way division is the least complex model that captures current gender discourses in a harm-reducing, trans-inclusive way. This offers a new perspective on the semantics–pragmatics interface of predicate meanings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Logic, Language, and Information)

16 pages, 332 KB

Open AccessArticle

Committing to the Truth: The Case of Disjunction

by Niccolò Rossi

Logics 2025, 3(4), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/logics3040014 - 3 Nov 2025

Viewed by 1199

Abstract

If one believes that

2 + 2 = 4

, then one also believes that either

2 + 2 = 4

or 971 is a cousin prime number. This follows from doxastic logics based on standard Kripke relational semantics, which validate disjunction introduction [...] Read more.

If one believes that

2 + 2 = 4

, then one also believes that either

2 + 2 = 4

or 971 is a cousin prime number. This follows from doxastic logics based on standard Kripke relational semantics, which validate disjunction introduction for belief. However, this principle does not hold in topic-sensitive semantics. An agent who lacks the concept of a ‘cousin prime number’ may be unable to entertain, and thus unable to believe, any proposition involving that concept. I argue that while disjunction introduction may fail for belief—and for other epistemic states that presuppose belief—it does hold for certain states that do not require belief. In this paper, I focus on the notion of commitment to the truth. Drawing on the concept of logical grounding, I propose formal semantics that preserve the requirement of topic-grasping, but weaken it in a way that allows for a more standard treatment of disjunction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Logic, Language, and Information)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1505 KB

Open AccessArticle

Structural Similarity: Formalizing Analogies Using Category Theory

by Claire Ott

Logics 2025, 3(4), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/logics3040012 - 23 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1948

Abstract

Analogies are an important part of human cognition for learning and discovering new concepts. There are many different approaches to defining analogies and how new ones can be found or constructed. We propose a novel approach in the tradition of structure mapping using [...] Read more.

Analogies are an important part of human cognition for learning and discovering new concepts. There are many different approaches to defining analogies and how new ones can be found or constructed. We propose a novel approach in the tradition of structure mapping using colored multigraphs to represent domains. We define a category of colored multigraphs in order to utilize some Category Theory (CT) concepts. CT is a powerful tool for describing and working with structure-preserving maps. There are many useful applications for this theory in cognitive science, and we want to introduce one such application to a broader audience. CT and the concepts used in this paper are introduced and explained. We show how the category theoretical concepts product and pullback can be used with the category of colored multigraphs to find possible analogies between domains using different requirements. The dual notion of a pullback, the pushout, is then used as conceptual blending to generate a new domain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Logic, Language, and Information)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 275 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bisimulation Quotient in Inquisitive Modal Logic

by Stipe Marić

Logics 2025, 3(3), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/logics3030011 - 5 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1022

Abstract

Inquisitive modal logic

{InqML}_{⊞}

is a natural generalization of basic modal logic, with ⊞ as a primitive modal operator. In this paper, we study the bisimulation quotients in the logic

{InqML}_{⊞}

. For a given inquisitive modal model [...] Read more.

Inquisitive modal logic

{InqML}_{⊞}

is a natural generalization of basic modal logic, with ⊞ as a primitive modal operator. In this paper, we study the bisimulation quotients in the logic

{InqML}_{⊞}

. For a given inquisitive modal model

M = (W, Σ, V)

, we first show that the bisimilarity relation is an equivalence relation on W and that there is the largest bisimulation on

M

. We then define the bisimulation quotient and prove that a model is connected to its bisimulation quotient by a surjective bounded morphism. Finally, we prove that two models are globally bisimilar if and only if their bisimulation quotients are isomorphic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Logic, Language, and Information)

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Logic, Language, and Information

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI