Learn English – “If it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be…” What does this mean

meaningmeaning-in-contextmodal-verbssentencetenses

I'm translating a book, which involves logic and quoted the sentence from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass:
"If it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."
The Carroll's book can be found here:
http://sabian.org/looking_glass4.php

I cannot even make out a clue what this sentence means, let alone translating. It seems I never come across any modal verbs or tenses used like this.

Best Answer

I'm not 100% sure, but maybe it's the valid argument form called "Modus ponens". If one thing (A) is true, then the other thing (B) will also be true.

Put in a logical form:

If A, then B

A

therefore B

For example: If it's Monday today, Sarah has to go to work

It is Monday today

Therefore Sarah has to go to work

I think that kind of logic might be, what Carroll was trying to explain.

"If it was so, it might be and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."

Translation:

If it was A, it might be B, if it were A, it would be B, but it isn't A then it ain't B

But maybe the last part "but as it isn't, it ain't" is actually Modus Tollens:

If A, then B

Not B

Therefore not A

So the last part (but as it isn't, it ain't) might be translated to:

But it isnt B, then it ain't A

If the latter is true, then the logic explained is Modus Tollens instead of Modus Ponens

I hope I didn't confuse you, and that you're satisfied with the answer :)

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