I.

INTRODUCTION TO BASIC LOGICAL CONCEPTS

A. Logic
i. What is Logic? – The study of the methods and principles used to
distinguish correct from incorrect reasoning
B. PROPOSITION
i. Propositions
- An assertion that something is (or is not) the case
- All proposition are either true or false
- May be affirmed or denied
-If a proposition is true, then we say it has a truth value of “true”; if a
proposition is false, its truth value is “False”.
Examples: “Grass is green” and “2 + 5 = 5”
ii. Statement
- The meaning of a declarative sentence at a particular time
- In Logic, the word “statement” is sometimes used instead of
“propositions”
- An argument consists of premises and a conclusion. Premises
and conclusions are sentences that claim certain things. They can
be either true or false. Such sentences are called statements.
Examples: “Today is Monday” and “This book is expensive”
- Sentences that are neither true, nor false cannot be statements
Examples: “Close the door” and “You must read this book”
iii. Simple Proposition (Atomic proposition)
- A proposition making only one assertion.
- They cannot be further subdivided
Example: “The sun is shining”
iv. Compound Proposition
- A proposition containing two or more simple propositions
- Expressions built out of atomic propositions and logical
connectives
- Containing other propositions within themselves
Example: “The sun is shining and the sky is blue”
v. Disjunctive (or Alternative) Proposition
- A type of compound proposition which presents two or more
alternatives of which one may be true.
- If true, at least one of the component proposition must be true
- Its members are linked by the conjunctions “either…or”
Kinds of Disjunctive Proposition
1. Strict Disjunctive – one in which only one member is true and the
other is false. Example: “Either he is an angel or a devil”.
2. Broad Disjunctive – one in which one member or more than one
member may be true. Example: “Either Ana or Karen will pass the
exam”
vi. Hypothetical (or Conditional) Proposition
- A type of compound proposition which expresses a condition or
relation of dependence between two propositions.
- Expressed relation points out that one proposition necessarily
follows from the other because of a definite condition.
- It is false only when the antecedent is true and the consequent is
false.
-Note that a conditional proposition is one in which two parts are
joined by if, unless, when, where, suppose, in case.
- Sometimes called an if-then proposition; Antecedent and
Consequent
Examples: “If a man is farsighted, he needs eyeglasses”
“If dry weather continues, the harvest will be poor”
vii. Conjunctive Proposition
- A type of compound proposition, asserting the conjunction of two
proposition is equivalent to asserting each of the component
propositions themselves; both propositions asserted are equivalent.
Example: “The British were at the gates of Hamburg and Bremen” –
Conjunction of two propositions namely: “The British were at the
gates of Hamburg” and “The British were at the gates of Bremen”