Definition:Literal

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Definition

A literal is either:

an atom $p$ of propositional logic, that is, a statement, or
the negation $\neg p$ of an atom $p$.


In the language of propositional logic, these correspond to:

a letter $p$
the WFF $\neg p$, where $p$ is a letter.


Positive Literal

A positive literal is an atom $p$ of propositional logic.


Negative Literal

A negative literal is the negation $\neg p$ of an atom $p$ of propositional logic.


Also known as

It is also known as a basic statement or basic sentence.

Some sources refer to it as an atom.


When discussing the (formal) language of propositional logic, this can be referred to as a basic WFF.


Sources