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Description

This paper contains the following contributions to formal logic: a statement of the problem of deductive logic, with a classification of its cases; a method of solution for three principle cases; new notation and calculus of logical reasons; a new system of diagrams, adapted for typography; a purely logical solution of all the problems within the scope of Boole's system; fusion of Hamilton's judgements and De Morgan's propositions, as part of one system of assertions; an exhaustive analysis of the syllogism; a re-cast of the theory and notation of De Morgan's numerically definite assertions, as the general case of the logic of composition, and a legitimate application of algebra to logic; direct passage from the purely logical formulae of consistency to the mathematical formular of Boole's system of probabilities.

Annotations in pencil throughout. Marked on front as 'Archives Jan 16/73'.

Subject: Mathematics / Philosophy

Received 21 March 1872. Read 25 April 1872.

Whilst the Royal Society declined to publish this paper in full, an abstract of the paper was published in volume 20 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'Contributions to formal logic'.

Reference number
AP/54/7
Earliest possible date
1872
Physical description
Ink and graphite pencil on paper
Page extent
155 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

Alexander John Ellis

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Citation

Alexander John Ellis, Unpublished paper, 'Contributions to formal logic' by Alexander J [John] Ellis, 1872, AP/54/7, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ap_54_7/unpublished-paper-contributions-to-formal-logic-by-alexander-j-john-ellis, accessed on 07 February 2025

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  • Archived Papers

    Dates: 1768-1989

    The 'Archived Papers' collection is comprised of original manuscript scientific papers and letters submitted to the Royal Society which remained unpublished or were abstracted in the journal 'Proceedings of the Royal Society' published from 1830 onwards.

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