# What is a Theory ?

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.15780 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2305.15780/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 25 May 2023.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Rethinking Evaluation in Retrieval-Augmented Personalized Dialogue: A Cognitive and Linguistic Perspective](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.14217/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Deduction modulo is a way to express a theory using computation rules instead of axioms. We present in this paper an extension of deduction modulo, called Polarized deduction modulo, where some rules can only be used at positive occurrences, while others can only be used at negative ones. We show that all theories in propositional calculus can be expressed in this framework and that cuts can always be eliminated with such theories.