PHI 103 Informal Logic

Topic: Write two arguments in English, one in the form of modus ponens and one in the form of modus tollens. Then, write the arguments in symbols using sentence letters and truth-functional connectives. (If your computer does not have all the symbols needed, use some other symbol you do have access to and explain what its meaning is.) What advantages does being able to symbolize our arguments provide? Are there disadvantages to using this technique to make the structure of our arguments more explicit and clear?

     

First Comment:

 

If I go to work, then I’ll get paid

 

I get paid for the work

 

Therefore, I’ll go do the work

 

P. Do My Work

 

Q. Paid For Work

 

Modus Tollens      (P > Q   )      (P/ Q) 

     

If the AC is not on, then I can’t feel the cool air

 

I can’t feel any cool air

 

Therefore, the AC is not turned on

 

P. Cool air on AC is not turn on

 

Q. Can’t not feel any cool air

 

P* Q

 ^Q   

“Symbolizing arguments has one big advantage: it allows us to see clearly the structure of the argument, and often that allows us to determine very quickly how good the argument is” (Mosser, 2011).

 

I believe that the use of symbolic logic can be an advantage in an argument supporting reasoning for the fact not everyone understands and comprehends languages, however they may understand symbols. If someone understands the symbols being used then a good argument will be introduced. At a very young age, we as children are taught symbols for example: a public restroom for women will have the symbol of a female with a dress/or skirt on representing that will be the ladies room. The symbols are a faster and easier way for the direction need to be taken in whatever the issue maybe. Symbols are a clear visual tool which could help prevent communication breakdown.

 

The disadvantage that symbolic logic could be that not everyone has an understanding and communication breakdown has occurred. If so this could lead to weak and unsupported arguments. I also feel that it could lead to dangerous situations. If I was visiting a country and was not familiar with their road sighs, I may run a stop sign and get hit by a truck and get seriously injured or killed

   

Second Comment:

   

Symbolic Logic Modus ponens is an inferential rule that affirms the antecedent of a conditional: “If P then Q, and P. therefore Q.”  P > Q     If Aaron passes all his classes, then he promotes.  P           Aaron passed 8th grade.  Q.          Therefore, Aaron promotes to 9th grade. Modus Tollens is an inferential rule that denies the consequent of a conditional; “If P then Q, and not Q, therefore not P.” P > Q      If Aaron passes all his classes, then he promotes. ~Q          Aaron does not promote to 9th grade. ~P          Therefore, Aaron did not pass all his classes. Arguments often get sidetracked because of the information presented, and although that information is important, we can avoid being sidetracked in this way by focusing on the structure of the arguments. Symbols are helpful in keeping the focus on such structures, (Mosser, 2011). To give us an advantage we just use symbols to make the various structures involved a bit more explicit. By doing this, it helps to clarify the way the sentences should be in order to understand the forms and rules of truth-function connectives.