\DOC new_axiom \TYPE {Compat.new_axiom : (string * term) -> thm} \SYNOPSIS Sets up a new axiom in the current theory. \DESCRIBE If {tm} is a term of type {bool}, a call {new_axiom("name",tm)} creates a theorem { |- !x1..xn. tm } and stores it away in the theory file. Note that all free variables in {tm} are generalized automatically before the axiom is set up. \FAILURE Fails if HOL is not in draft mode, or there is already an axiom or definition of that name in the current theory, or it the given term does not have type {bool}. \EXAMPLE { - new_theory "gurk"; () : unit - new_axiom("untrue",--`x = 1`--)); |- !x. x = 1 } \COMMENTS hol90 doesn't have {new_axiom}; use {new_open_axiom} instead, which does not automatically generalize the term being asserted as an axiom. For most purposes, it is unnecessary to declare new axioms: all of classical mathematics can be derived by definitional extension alone. Proceeding by definition is not only more elegant, but also guarantees the consistency of the deductions made. However, there are certain entities which cannot be modelled in simple type theory without further axioms, such as higher transfinite ordinals. \SEEALSO mk_thm, new_definition. \ENDDOC