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AI Summary of Peer-Reviewed Research

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Feminist logic may favor bilateralist proof systems

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in
Four people of diverse appearances sit around a wooden table in a bright, naturally lit room with large windows, engaged in collaborative discussion while reading from books and taking notes, with mugs and papers visible on the table.
Research area:Arts and HumanitiesPhilosophyPhilosophy of logic

What the study found

The paper argues that inferentialism, the view that meaning comes from use within inferential and social practices, is not yet attentive enough to socio-political power dynamics. It also argues that a bilateralist version of Nelson’s paraconsistent logic of constructible falsity offers a more promising basis for feminist logic than classical negation, if a primitive negation for expressing difference is retained.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors suggest that a feminist-informed inferentialism must move beyond a neutral idea of the “social” and include how language and inference are shaped by political structures. They also conclude that bilateralist representations of proof systems can accommodate feminist concerns.

What the researchers tested

The paper examines inferentialism through the lens of feminist logic. In its second part, it considers implications for logical systems, drawing on Plumwood’s critique of classical negation and comparing classical negation with a bilateralist version of Nelson’s paraconsistent logic.

What worked and what didn't

According to the paper, inferentialism’s current focus is insufficiently attentive to power dynamics. The author argues that classical negation reflects hierarchical and oppressive structures, while a bilateralist version of Nelson’s logic provides a more promising foundation for feminist logic when primitive negation is needed to express difference.

What to keep in mind

The abstract presents these points as arguments made in the paper, not as results from an empirical study. The available summary does not describe experiments, formal proofs in detail, or specific limitations beyond the scope of the paper’s conceptual analysis.

Key points

  • Inferentialism is said to fit feminist concerns only partly because it treats the social too neutrally.
  • The author argues that socio-political power dynamics should be included in a feminist-informed inferentialism.
  • Plumwood’s critique is used to present classical negation as hierarchically structured and oppressive.
  • A bilateralist version of Nelson’s paraconsistent logic is presented as a more promising basis for feminist logic.
  • The paper says primitive negation may still be useful for expressing difference.

Disclosure

Research title:
Feminist logic may favor bilateralist proof systems
Authors:
Sara Ayhan
Institutions:
Ruhr University Bochum, Tohoku University
Publication date:
2026-04-11
DOI:
10.1007/s11245-026-10394-6
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by gpt-5.4-mini (OpenAI). The original authors did not write or review this post.