MHB What are the implications of studying logic?

[Chris L T521]

Hello everyone,

I have a question that seems simple at first but is "hard" for me to answer. I'm teaching a general education math course at a community college next semester, and one of the key components to that course is symbolic logic. I'm pretty confident in my knowledge and ability to teach basic logic. However, I want to come up with an answer to the question "why are we studying logic?" because I'm pretty certain that someone will ask it in class. Besides answering "being able to analyze the truth values of statements and to determine the validity of arguments", what other things can be said?

Please keep in mind that the demographic for this course isn't really the mathematically inclined (it's a general education requirement, so it's not really just math or science students taking this course; students from all other areas of study will be taking this course, too), so I want to come up with more practical ("real world") reasons as to why one should study logic. If anyone could provide a couple different examples that answer this question, I would be very appreciative!

 

[soroban]

Hello, Chris!

I don't know if this is what you're seeking,
but this was part of my presentation on Implication.

Consider the statement:
$\quad$If you get a 95 on the final, then you will get an $\mathbb A.$

Under what circumstances will I have kept my promise,
and under what circumstances will I have lied?

Case 1: You get a 95 on the final and you get an $\mathbb A.$
$\quad$ No problem ... I've kept my promise.

Case 2: You get a 95 and you do not get an $\mathbb A.$
$\quad$ Bad news ... I broke my promise.

Case 3: You do not get 95 and you get an $\mathbb A.$
$\quad$ This is possible; maybe you got a 98.

Case 4: You do not get 95 and you do not get an $\mathbb A.$
$\quad$ This is also possible; maybe you flunked the final,
$\quad$ but still got a $\mathbb B.$I have broken my promise only in Case 2.
My promise states what will happen if you get 95.
It does not say what happens if you do not get 95.