Logic @ MindSay

Mathematical logic is the basis of Computer Science. Teaching CS students mathematical logic can be a very strenuous act. It is difficult to invent simple but convincing examples. It is also difficult to pass the symbolic notation. I stumbled on a real interesting way I could make students understand mathematica logic (symbolic logic). I was inspired by an amazing book by Raymond Smullyan (The lady or the tiger, and other logic puzzles, Pub.: Alferd Knopf Inc.). I took the first puzzle in that book and explained it to my students in so many words. I gave them the solution, also in so many words. I then asked them to explain the same, but without using any English language words -- just use math notation and symbols. I let them struggle for some time and then gave them the solution (in fact two of them). This time I did not use "so many words", it was all in math symbols. I showed them how elegant and simple the resultant text was. I showed them how we could avoid the many ambiguities and pitfalls of a natural language like English. The puzzle and the solution will soon be published on the web, and announced in this blog. watch this space !

"He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; and he that dares not reason is a slave." -William Drummond, 1585-1649

Nimbo posted an entry titled:  Why I Believe In God.    I found the effort, the presentation very convoluted and beyond my comprehension. Her reply request states: "Tell me that you love me".  I replyed.  Then this came down.

 

namastelaoshi on July 3, 2008 at 1:55 PM

HUH?

Okay, I love you. Oh, I also believe that you are... are... are... I don't know. Certainly, for me, your "argument" with whomever, is so, so convoluted and, again, for me, so nonsenseical that I cannot follow it. I am inclined to state that what you presented is insane in its' presentation.

 

To quote Forest Gump "I am not a smart man." I never studied logic and only had general math in high school. I say this to let you know that I do not hold myself out to be authoratative with my evaluation of your presentation.

 

With that being true I am not uncomfotable stating that noting that you have presented can stand any test of lucidity. It's, I say with sincere considered seriousness, I say your presentation is immature in the least and, more probably insane. It is insane. It is crazy; worthy only of being discarded out of hand. -David

 

swanginbajingo on July 3, 2008 at 2:27 PM

Re: HUH?

Wait. You couldn't follow with what he said, but you stand to claim that you can make a proper judgment?

You might as well say the Chinese are all insane just because you couldn't decipher their language but recognize that they have numerous ways to say one thing.

At least he presented reference points and elaborations: you simply took numerous sentences to say and repeat "your argument is insane," making your entire post superfluous and more convoluted than his explanation, which is interesting because you said much less than he did.

But your entire lack of reasoning stems from the fact that his title said "Why I believe in God" and you decided this wasn't an elaborate explanation, but instead an "argument," which is a mistake too many people who "argue" religion make. Even if you had taken courses in logic, it wouldn't have helped you one bit. He answered a hypothetical question, not imposed a debate. Logic doesn't apply here; context and reading comprehension do.

 

nimbo on July 3, 2008 at 6:38 PM

Re: HUH?

Thank you, namastelaoshi, for your honesty. And thanks for standing up to [for] me swanginbajingo. In some ways, you are both right. (Also, I'm a girl.)

 

swanginbajingo on July 3, 2008 at 7:13 PM

Re: HUH?

XD Whoops. I fall into the group of people who use "he" as a generic pronoun for people and "she" as a generic pronoun for things. XD

 

namastelaoshi on July 3, 2008 at 9:42 PM

HUH? I mean huh again?

"You couldn't follow with what he said, but you stand to claim that you can make a proper judgment?" so say you. Correct? Well I thought that I made it perfectly clear that I was not too smart and that my "judgement" [I thought I was making and observation] should be highly questioned.

 

To clarify a error in my reply to Ms. Nimbo I offer the following: "...I am not uncomfotable stating that noting that you have presented cannot stand any test of lucidity." is an error. I should read "...nothing that you have presented can stand any test of lucidity."

 

Then "...he [she] presented reference points and elaborations:" True. She did a lot that which led to my observation that all such was so too, too convoluted to render it anything but immature in presentation and maybe even insane. It is what I said and I do not back down from what I said in this instance from the perspective of a not-smart man who, by the way, cannot also comprehend your presentation either.

 

I know that you know what is in my mind and what and how I think because, you did did you not, say that above? Thanks for your advise not to take a course in logic [something I had truly been considering at age 67]. Being assured by you that I would be a failure at it you have saved me some time and expense; neither of which I have great resources of. You so kind and considerate. Thanks, David

 

swanginbajingo on July 3, 2008 at 9:43 PM Re: HUH? I mean huh again? It's okay. You're welcome.

 

namastelaoshi on July 3, 2008 at 10:32 PM

HUH? HUH? HUH?

That's it? Really? You are so, so much better than me, indeed, and better than all of we and that's it? HUH? -David

 

swanginbajingo on July 3, 2008 at 10:44 PM

Re: HUH? HUH? HUH?

Now, now. Don't get emotional on someone else's blog. We don't need to flood her inbox. If you have a complaint, come to my blog. This will be my last message so as to avoid any further nonsense on her recent updates.

 

namastelaoshi on July 3, 2008 at 11:10 PM

Me thinks me understands.

"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." - President Harry S. Truman

It happened again yesterday.  Some talking head on a news broadcast misused the term 'begging the question.'  This usually happen something like this: "Since he is now a serial killer, it begs the question, how was he  reared?"  But begging the question is a logic term that means the premise assumes the conclusion is true.  Here is an example:

• God exists.
• How do you know?
• The Bible says so.
• Why should I believe the Bible?
• Because it was written by God.

I used this example because so many of we Christians do it.  Stop it.