Talk:Elementary logic

Logic as Mathematics?

It would be a flaw to say that logic is a subset of mathematics. Rather, it's the other way around. Logic is at its smallest a subset of meta-mathematics. There is, I suppose, a way to approach it in mathematics but the type of introduction here probably should be a philosophy course. Mo Anabre 20:35, 9 November 2006 (UTC)

• But logic can be formulated in terms of set theory or category theory? --Hillgentleman 23:21, 9 November 2006 (UTC)

This should be radically rewritten

This is actually a pretty poor attempt at explaining elimentary logic. Firstly, logic does not let us know if statements are true or false. Rather, it allows us to test whether propositions are valid or invalid and on a higher level if arguments are valid or fallacious.

To explain this, a proposition is a statment that can be either true or false. The current article does give good examples or propositions (I am human. 1 + 1 = 2 Roses are red and violets are blue.)

As for the operators, the basic operators are as follows:

If p and q are both propositions,

Negation: Not p (meaning p is not true) Conjunction: p and q are both true Inclusive Disjunction: p or q or both Exclusive Disjunction: p or q but not both Conditional: If p is true then q is true (but not necessarily the other way around) Biconditional: p is true if and only if q is true (meaning they are either both true or both false)

The NAND, NOR and XOR are all combinations of these (not-and, not-or and not-biconditional respectively)

I started merging it for you. You are welcome to insert corrections or add useful information directly into the article if it is an obvious improvement. I appreciate you being cautious. The local operating premise is that if we all are polite and use our best judgement the aggregate information will improve beyond our individual capabilities. Thanks for the info! Mirwin 06:12, 8 February 2007 (UTC)