Definition:Universe of Discourse
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This page is about Universe in the context of Logic. For other uses, see Universe.
Definition
The universe of discourse is the term used to mean everything we are talking about.
When introducing the symbols:
- $\forall$ (the universal quantifier)
or:
- $\exists$ (the existential quantifier)
it is understood that the objects referred to are those in the specified universe of discourse.
It is usual to define that universe.
Also known as
The universe of discourse is also known as:
Some sources use just universe or domain, but those have wider meanings.
Also see
- In class theory, the universe of discourse is the universal class.
- Results about the universe of discourse can be found here.
Sources
- 1989: Ephraim J. Borowski and Jonathan M. Borwein: Dictionary of Mathematics ... (previous) ... (next): universe: 3. universe of discourse, universe of interpretation, domain of discourse.
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): domain: 3. (universe of discourse)
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): universe of discourse
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): domain: 3. (universe of discourse)
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): universe of discourse