Mally Introduces First Formal Deontic System

In 1926, Ernst Mally proposed the first formal deontic logic in The Basic Laws of Ought, presenting a propositional calculus extended with a unary obligation connective (!) and binary operators (f, ∞) plus five deontic axioms. The system yields controversial consequences—most notably 'A is obligatory iff A is the case'—which critics like Menger rejected; the article analyzes Mally’s terminology, axioms, and possible formal repairs.
Scoring Rationale
Moderate scholarly analysis with concrete repair proposals, limited by niche scope and modest novelty impact.
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