Modus Ponens Argument Form – UGC NET Question

Modus ponens is the basic valid argument form that says: from “If P then Q” and “P,” we may validly infer “Q.” It affirms the antecedent and concludes the consequent. The pattern “If P then Q; P; therefore Q” guarantees that if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. This is one of the most frequently used inference rules in formal and informal reasoning.

Option A:
Option A presents the correct modus ponens form, with the conditional and affirmation of the antecedent leading to the consequent. It preserves validity in all interpretations.

Option B:
Option B is the fallacy of denying the antecedent: from “If P then Q” and “not P” it draws “not Q,” which is not logically guaranteed, because Q might still be true for other reasons.

Option C:
Option C is the fallacy of affirming the consequent: from “If P then Q” and “Q” it infers “P,” which is also not always valid.

Option D:
Option D is modus tollens, a different but still valid form, which infers “not P” from “If P then Q” and “not Q,” but it is not modus ponens.