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bivalence

bivalence

9.4
A system that has exactly two values, for example true and false
  • noun
  • /ˌbaɪˈveɪləns/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bivalencia
  • The principle of bivalence is fundamental in classical logic, ensuring that there are only two truth values.

Examples

  • In logic, the concept of bivalence asserts that every proposition is either true or false.

  • In terms of logic, the law of bivalence is denied: "In a fictional world, it will normally be the case for each character and some relevantly applicable predicate 'F' that neither 'Fa' nor 'Fa' is true" (Heintz 91).

    Academic text (2006)
  • There is a truth about the past to which the so-called law of bivalence applies, and this can only be so if past, present, and future are all eternally just there.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Traditionally, according to theorists of possible-world semantics, impossible worlds are those worlds that violate the foundational principles of classical logic: the laws of noncontradiction and bivalence or the excluded middle.

    Academic text (1995)
  • According to the law of bivalence, a statement cannot be both true and false at the same time.

Synonyms

binary
vsbivalence
  • Specialized
6 5.8

Two opposite ideas or groups

is a logical property specifically about two possible truth values
boolean
vsbivalence
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A value that can be true or false

is the abstract property of having exactly two possible values
true-false
vsbivalence
1 2.8

Asking for an answer of true or false

is the general property of having exactly two possible values in logic
bool
vsbivalence
  • Specialized
7.2

Used for values that can be only true or false

is the general property referring to any entity with two values

Surface Forms

bivalence singular
bivalences plural

Morphology

bivalence = valence (transparent) = bi + valence

Direct composition of 'bi-' (two) + 'valence' (number/values) yields 'having two possible values', which is straightforward for learners who know the components.

Etymology

Bivalence comes from bi- 'two' (like in binary) and valence 'value' or 'capacity', so in logic it means a statement can take two values, for example 'true' or 'false', like a switch that is 'on' or 'off'.