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In logic, predicate abstraction is the result of creating a predicate from an open sentence. If Q(x) is any formula with x free then the predicate formed from that sentence is (λx.Q(x)), where λ is an abstraction operator. The resultant predicate (λx.Q(x)) is a monadic predicate capable of taking a term t as argument as in (λx.Q(x))(t), which says that the object denoted by 't' has the property of being such that Q. The law of abstraction states ( λy.Q(x) )(t) ≡ Q(t/x) where Q(t/x) is the result of replacing all free occurrences of t in Q by x. This law is shown to fail in general in at least two cases: (i) when t is irreferential and (ii) when Q contains modal operators. In modal logic the "de re / de dicto distinction" is stated as 1. (DE DICTO): 2. (DE RE): . In (1) the modal operator applies to the formula A(t) and the term t is within the scope of the modal operator. In (2) t is not within the scope of the modal operator.
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