identical proposition

American  

noun

Logic.

1. a proposition in which the subject and predicate have the same meaning, as, “That which is mortal is not immortal.”

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identical proposition British  

noun

1. logic a necessary truth, esp a categorial identity, such as whatever is triangular has three sides

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Etymology

Origin of identical proposition

First recorded in 1635–45

Example Sentences

Really a definition, as such, cannot explain a thing's nature, being merely an identical proposition explaining the meaning of a word.

From Analysis of Mr. Mill's System of Logic by Stebbing, W. (William)

I. On the first hypothesis we may remark: first, That one is one is an identical proposition, from which we might expect that no further consequences could be deduced.

From Parmenides by Jowett, Benjamin

If morality be the science of minimizing human misery, to say that sin brings suffering, is merely to express an identical proposition.

From Prose Masterpieces from Modern Essayists by Froude, James Anthony

If Every man is fallible, is it an identical proposition that Every man is liable to error?

From Logic Deductive and Inductive by Read, Carveth

Unquestionably:—but this is an identical proposition: for an object of desire means merely a thing which a man will procure if he can.

From Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches — Volume 2 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron