lincomplétude

Lincomplétude is a term used in discussions of formal logic to describe a property of certain systems in which restricting proofs to a linear, non-branching sequence of deductions leads to incompleteness with respect to a given domain. In this sense, lincomplétude highlights a tension between simplicity or resource-sensitivity (as embodied by linear reasoning) and the goal of deriving all truths within a system.

Origins and use. The term is not part of a standardized taxonomy and appears mainly in French-language expositions and speculative discussions about linear logic and proof theory. It is typically invoked to contrast the expressive power of linear or linearized deduction frameworks with classical or unrestricted systems, illustrating how constraints on the structure of proofs can limit what can be proven.

Formal idea and interpretation. In a lincomplétude scenario, one considers a formal system that enforces linearity in the application of rules—each premise is used exactly once, and the deduction proceeds along a single sequence rather than through branching proofs. Within this framework, there may exist truths about the target domain that cannot be derived without relaxing the linear constraint. Thus, lincomplétude serves as a heuristic or conceptual lens for examining how proof-theoretic restrictions affect completeness.

Relation to other concepts. Lincomplétude is often discussed in relation to Gödel’s incompleteness theorem, linear logic, and resource-sensitive reasoning. It is used to frame questions about how different proof architectures trade off between parsimony, efficiency, and the ability to derive all true statements.

See also. Gödel’s incompleteness theorem; linear logic; proof theory; constructive logic.

Notes. Lincomplétude is a niche or debated term rather than a universally adopted concept, and it is primarily encountered in speculative or pedagogical contexts rather than as a standard category in formal logic.