Symbolic logic

Cogito ergo sum Logic and rhetoric

Key articles

Logical fallacy Syllogism Argument

General logic

Gödel's incompleteness theorems Problem of evil Boolean algebra Slippery slope Nothing to hide پاسخ کورتیر

Bad logic

Adding epicycles Argument by assertion Nutpicking Greece-baiting Post-designation Envenenar o poço 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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