bivalence
1
9.4
- noun
- /ˌbaɪˈveɪləns/
- Specialized
- The principle of bivalence is fundamental in classical logic, ensuring that there are only two truth values.
Examples
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In logic, the concept of bivalence asserts that every proposition is either true or false.
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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
29
2.8
Asking for an answer of true or false
7
5.8
Two opposite ideas or groups
2
4.1
A value that can be true or false
1
7.2
Used for values that can be only true or false
Surface Forms
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'.