Consequent
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A consequent is the second half of a hypothetical proposition. In the standard form of such a proposition, it is the part that follows "then".
Examples:
- If P, then Q.
Q is the consequent of this hypothetical proposition.
- If X is a mammal, then X is an animal.
Here, "X is an animal" is the consequent.
- If computers can think, then they are alive.
"They are alive" is the consequent.
The consequent in a hypothetical proposition is not necessarily a consequence of the antecedent.
- If monkeys are orange, then fish speak Klingon.
"Fish speak Klingon" is the consequent here, but clearly is not a consequence of (nor has anything to do with) the claim made in the antecedent that "monkeys are orange".
