Elementary Logic: The Foundation of Reasoning

What is Logic?

● The study of reasoning and argumentation

● A systematic method for distinguishing
good arguments from bad ones
● The basis for critical thinking and problem-
solving
● Why do you think logic is important in
everyday life?
 Basic Components of Logic
● Premises: Statements assumed to be true
● Conclusions: Claims derived from premises
● Inferences: The process of deriving conclusions from premises
● Can you think of an example where you use these components
in daily life?
Types of Logic

● Formal Logic: Focuses on the structure of

arguments
● Informal Logic: Deals with everyday
reasoning and argumentation
● Symbolic Logic: Uses symbols to
represent logical relationships
● Which type of logic do you think you use
most often?
 Propositions
● Declarative sentences that can be true or false
● Building blocks of logical arguments
● Examples: "The sky is blue," "All humans are mortal"
● Can you come up with your own example of a proposition?
 Logical Operators

● AND (conjunction): Both statements must

be true
● OR (disjunction): At least one statement
must be true
● NOT (negation): Reverses the truth value
of a statement
● How might you use these operators in
everyday language?
 Truth Tables
● Tools for analyzing logical expressions
● Show all possible combinations of truth values
● Help evaluate complex logical statements
● Why do you think truth tables are useful in logic?
Validity vs. Soundness

● Validity: The conclusion logically follows

from the premises
● Soundness: A valid argument with true
premises
● All sound arguments are valid, but not all
valid arguments are sound
● Can you think of an example of a valid
argument that isn't sound?
 Logical Fallacies
● Common errors in reasoning that lead to invalid arguments
● Examples: Ad hominem, Straw man, False dichotomy
● Identifying fallacies improves critical thinking
● Have you encountered any logical fallacies recently? Share an
example.
 Deductive Reasoning

● Moves from general principles to specific

conclusions
● If premises are true, the conclusion must
be true
● Example: All mammals are warm-blooded.
Cats are mammals. Therefore, cats are
warm-blooded.
● Can you create your own deductive
argument?
 Inductive Reasoning
● Moves from specific observations to general conclusions
● Conclusions are probable, not certain
● Example: Every swan I've seen is white. Therefore, all swans are
probably white.
● How does inductive reasoning differ from deductive reasoning?
Syllogisms

● A form of deductive reasoning with two

premises and a conclusion
● Major premise, minor premise, and
conclusion
● Example: All humans are mortal. Socrates
is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
● Try creating your own syllogism using
everyday objects or animals.
 Conditional Statements
● If-then statements expressing a relationship between conditions
● Antecedent (if part) and consequent (then part)
● Example: If it rains, then the ground will be wet
● Can you think of a conditional statement you've used today?
 Modus Ponens and Modus Tollens
● Modus Ponens: If P, then Q. P is true. Therefore, Q is true.
● Modus Tollens: If P, then Q. Q is false. Therefore, P is false.
● Valid forms of argument using conditional statements
● How might these forms of reasoning be useful in problem-
solving?
 Logical Equivalence
● Two statements that always have the same truth value
● Can be substituted for each other without changing the validity of
an argument
● Example: "Not (A and B)" is logically equivalent to "Not A or Not
B"
● Why is understanding logical equivalence important in
constructing arguments?
 Venn Diagrams

● Visual representations of logical

relationships between sets
● Useful for illustrating syllogisms and set
operations
● Help in understanding and solving logical
problems
● How might Venn diagrams be helpful in
everyday decision-making?
 Propositional Logic vs. Predicate Logic

● Propositional Logic: Deals with simple statements and their

relationships
● Predicate Logic: Extends propositional logic to include quantifiers
and variables
● Predicate logic can express more complex relationships
● Can you think of a statement that would require predicate logic to
express fully?
Logic in Computer
Science
● Boolean algebra and logic gates in digital
circuits
● Logical operators in programming
languages
● Formal verification of software and
hardware systems
● How do you think logic contributes to the
development of technology?
 Logic in Critical Thinking
● Analyzing arguments in media and political discourse
● Evaluating scientific claims and evidence
● Improving decision-making skills
● Can you recall a situation where applying logic helped you make
a better decision?
 The Importance of
Logic in Education
● Develops analytical and problem-solving
skills
● Enhances ability to construct and evaluate
arguments
● Fosters clear and precise communication
● How do you think studying logic will
benefit you in your future career or
personal life?
 Conclusion: Logic in Our Daily Lives
● Logic is all around us, from casual conversations to complex
decision-making
● Understanding logic helps us reason more effectively and avoid
fallacies
● Continuous practice improves our logical thinking skills
● What's one way you can apply what you've learned about logic in
your daily life?