Write for the atomic formulas , , , , , , and , respectively. These are abbreviations for formulas, not new symbols in the vocabulary. In clausal normal form, with all remaining variables implicitly universally quantified, the three translations become:For (ii), Skolemization introduces the fresh Skolem function . One supervisor suffices even when both categories hold, so the same can be used in both first-order clauses. For (iii), moving the existentially quantified course out of an antecedent produces a universally quantified variable in the resulting first-order clause:
The resolution with free selection calculus for first-order Horn clauses is sound and refutationally complete for the clause sets from . For example, select the unique positive first-order literal in every definite first-order Horn clause, and select one negative first-order literal in every nonempty clause without a positive one. On the displayed definite first-order Horn clauses, this selects or . A fair saturation must still consider all permitted inferences. Functions do not invalidate this completeness theorem, although they can prevent termination. [ref]
Rewriting Conjunctive Queries under Description Logic Constraints. Section 2, “Resolution with Free Selection”: the selection condition and Horn resolution calculus
The first first-order clause of (i) has two positive first-order literals, so the Horn resolution with free selection theorem does not apply to that sentence. General first-order resolution, with its usual completeness requirements, can handle it. Soundness of an individual resolution inference is not the issue; the issue is applicability and completeness of this particular restricted calculus.
Resolution with free selection 2026-10-31
A family of resolution calculi for first-order Horn clauses. A selection function chooses either the positive head atom alone or a nonempty set of body atoms. Permitted inferences respect those choices; fair saturation is refutationally complete. Function symbols need not be excluded, so completeness does not by itself guarantee termination. [ref]
Rewriting Conjunctive Queries under Description Logic Constraints. Section 2, “Resolution with Free Selection”