Affirming the consequent: is p→q, q ⊨ p valid?

A fallacy: p → q with q leaves p open, because q can hold for reasons that have nothing to do with p. The open branch below gives the countermodel.

Invalidp→q, q ⊨ p

A branch stays open, so the premises can hold while the conclusion fails.

Proof (semantic tableau)

  1. 1True: p→qpremise
    1. 2True: qpremise
      1. 3False: pnegated conclusion
        1. 4False: pfrom line 1

          Branch open.p = ⊥, q = ⊤

        2. 5True: qfrom line 1

          Branch open.p = ⊥, q = ⊤

open branch

How semantic tableaux work →

Countermodels

Under these assignments every premise is true but the conclusion is false, so the conclusion does not follow.

  • p = ⊥, q = ⊤
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More worked proofs