Symbolic logic

Cogito ergo sum Logic and rhetoric

Key articles

Logical fallacy Syllogism Argument

General logic

Denying the antecedent Argument from silence Golden hammer Escape to the future Shoehorning Apophasis

Bad logic

Circular reasoning Weasel word Slothful induction Counterfactual fallacy Existential assumption Bullshit v - t - e

Symbolic logic is a logical technique that allows reduction of a logical argument stated in natural language to mathematical logic. This helps to avoid issues of semantics that plague many logical debates. A proof in symbolic logic is only as true as its premises.

Example

Let A be defined as "Water has memory of chemicals dissolved in it."
Let B be defined as "Nearly every chemical has been dissolved in the oceans at some point."
Let C be defined as "The oceans have memory of nearly every chemical."
Let D be defined as "The oceans are as effective a homeopathic treatment as anything you could buy."

Postulates:
1: A
2: B
3: A&B→C
4: C→D

Proof:
Line a: By 1, 2, and 3: C
Line b: By 4 and a:D

Conclusion:
D

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