Search This Blog

Necessary and Sufficient Conditions

 Necessary and Sufficient Conditions

pg.156: Inspired by Epictetus 

Necessary Condition: 

In an If-Then condition, 'the clause following the 'Then' states the necessary conditions for the antecedent;

If 'A', then 'B'; B is the necessary condition for A

ie., If B is falsified, then A is falsified

For example, If 'Square', then 4 Sides; 

4 sides are the necessary condition for a Square; If not it's not a square


Sufficient Condition:

It is 'A', if and if only 'B'

The truth of B guarantees the Truth of A

It is a Square, if and only if :

  • 4 Sides
  • 4 sides are straight
  • 4 sides are equal
  • 4 sides form a closed-loop
  • The angle between the 2 sides is 90 degrees
All of the above are sufficient conditions for Square; 

Too often we think of the necessary conditions only and seek entitlement, but forget that there are more sufficient conditions that we need to fulfill