Is logic very much like math?

Question

Math is based on logic, this I know.

I love math. Studying math and working on problems is one of my favorite experiences in university.

But I want to shift to taking courses in logic (intro to logic, symbolic logic, formal logic, etc). Is it very much like taking, say, calculus courses as far as the type of problem solving and such?

Answer 1

If you're looking for an alternative, go with Chess. It develops your thinking from all possible angles. Good, better, best ways possible.

Answer 2

I don't know about other universities, but symbolic logic courses are double-cataloged as math and philosophy courses at my university. Personally, I've only taken an informal logic class (which was obviously not math-like at all -- it was mostly familiarizing oneself with induction and the various fallacious arguments, cognitive biases, and so on) and intro to symbolic logic. Symbolic logic is somewhat math-like. Again, I don't know how far other universities take their intro to symbolic logic courses, but by the end of the class, we were doing some stuff with functors, identity statements, and the like. There was a little overlap. I've had math classes where the professor used some of the operators from symbolic logic.



Beyond that, though, intro level wasn't really like math. You could see the underlying relationship between symbolic logic and math, but it wasn't very challenging, in my opinion. The hardest part was getting the hang of doing the derivations, and once you get that, the rest is pretty much the same kind of thing but with new rules and features. I would imagine that if you're really good at math, you won't find logic very challenging, although you may find it interesting.



Maybe higher up logic courses and meta-logic would be more math-like. I honestly can't say from personal knowledge or experience. Sorry I can't be more helpful than that. I personally really enjoyed symbolic logic. If I'd had the chance to take higher level logic courses, I would have been all over it, but I didn't get the chance. We had cutbacks in our phil department, and they haven't been offering the higher level logic courses the last few semesters.

Answer 3

Working out proofs in symbolic predicate logic is very similar to algebra and working out trigonometric identities. There's a short list of logical operators which are either commutative, transitive, or combined; order of operations is still important; being detailed, methodical, and exacting is a must.



So the short answer is 'yes'. Working with symbolic logic is also useful for helping quantify base probabilities and understanding the nature of sets.



Oh- a short introductory book with good grounding on the subject is David Papineau's "Philosophical Devices." He'll walk you through the basics of logic to finally explain how Gödel's incompleteness theorem differentiates axiomatized systems of mathematics from first-order logic.

Answer 4

Logic and set theory are parts of the foundations of mathematics. All of mathematics relies on these two intellectual entities. So, yes, logic has a very intimate relationship to mathematical disciplines; the entire superstructure of mathematics depends on.logic for its consistency. On the other hand it is possible to study symbolic logic and avoid mathematics, per se.

Answer 5

See the words "very much", in your question, these indicate math. As soon as you know this idea you also know the dilemma in and of your question.



Is logic like math, can be answered with practical comparison skills. There is a simple rule behind comparison, if the two are like they contain SOME equality.



Affirmatively, they do, but I am currently unwilling to exemplify the comparison here.

Answer 6

TMoC



They are cousins



You need logic to be good at math, but

not necessarily be good at math to be

logical.



In other words, there are some people

that are logical thinkers but never developed

math skills.



Well, that's my answer, not sure if it is right,

but good, logical question. :)

Answer 7

Is logic very much like math?



~~~ Both exist in the imagination.





Math is based on logic, this I know.



~~~ Quantum has 'discredited' all the 'laws' of logic (and, thus, math)!

But it is expedient, at the moment...

Answer 8

Yes, similar. Not so much to calc as to say, long division in arithmetic. It is rigorous, tho fairly simple.

Answer 9

Math and Logic are one and the same in my opinion. It's like saying justice and equality are one and the same. In order for there to be justice, there has to be equality and in order for there to be equality, there has to be justice.

Answer 10

Philosophically speaking, please consider whether it is necessary to burden the philosophy students with additional subjects like logic and math. Anyway, you please suggest this idea to the University Board, which consists of all the professors. Let them consider and if they approve, then it is fine for me also.