Okay . . . huff, huff. Last one was a bomb. This time let me start with a preamble.
We’re going to consider a minute introduction to logic. Forget the operations and systems and all of that. This introduction is about notation.
Today we will collaborate to make a logical system from scratch.
In its most general mathematical sense: A notation is a set of well-defined rules for representing quantities and operations with symbols.
I would generalize it more in logic to just say “concepts” instead of “quantities and operations.”
This is basically the core of all logic. Every form of written language is just an expanse which begins with notation. What you’re looking at right now is almost notation. It’s just not always well defined. (different nations spell the word differently, different fonts allow different shapes of letters, different dialects allow for different grammars, different dictionaries allow for different interpretation, etc).
This is why natural languages are considered prelogical. Because logic is a very stubborn beast. There’s no arguing with it. That’s not to say that it’s always correct only that it’s consistent.
There’s 3 steps to develop logic through notation.
(1) Symbolism. Create a geometrical formation which falls within rules. Calculus, for example, would be a method to define what geometrical formation are within the correct perameters for proper notation. Binary is another example. A proper symbol might be a very specific set of pixels within a frame.
This is a fancy way of saying that you can draw something and tell others how they have to draw it. That is the beginning of a symbol. And yes it’s a doctrine. Live with it.
You might repeat this step many times.
(2) Syntax. After a repetition of step 1, you may decide that you’ve reached a closed system for your variety of symbols. A closed system means that these symbols can operate together to generate meaning.
(3) Solution. The goal of any logical system is to develop some sort of answer that’s consistent with the facts provided, to look at the whole when pieces are assembled. So just like a propotype machine that’s tested for a purpose, a closed system is put to a test of axioms.
Interestingly (or irrelevantly) enough, this is kind of like early evolution. Consistent chemical bonds (symbols) develop the first proteins (closed system), which eventually repeat actions successively to survive and procreate (solution).
your mission should you choose to accept it
Follow any one of the 3 steps. As each person contributes to either of the steps, our new logic system will grow smarter . . . or just weirder (the more likely result).
(1) Make a symbol. Scan a picture and post it, or just use one available to you via internet images or keyboard. It may mean something else in a different language, but this is your language.
(2) Take a set of symbols introduced to our system. Assign each separate symbol a meaning. There should be a pattern in which they can work together. Be creative.
(3) Try to use the pattern. Think of it as a way to solve a riddle. Even a simple one. How does it solve the riddle?
We don’t have to all collaborate to make one logical system either. We might make several. You can introduce this as your own system. Give it a name, using ideas from other posters. Again, you would be assigning a notation to your system of notation.
This exercise is partly to remind others that the idea of logic is not this rigid doctrine in which everyone has to do everything a certain way. It is only a doctrine in the context of your invented language
We might show a great deal of innovation on the internet. Or this will make no sense to anyone and the thread will bomb like the last one. Either way is fine.
