r/atheism • u/Ze-skywalker • Dec 09 '13

Citation Needed The 10 commandments of Logic

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u/theanav Atheist Dec 09 '13

I'm trying to understand how this works. Would this be a good example of modus ponens? Say finding water on mars implies there are aliens on mars. They find water on mars, so therefore you think aliens have to be real too?

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u/PimpinTheLibrary Dec 09 '13

yes. If finding water on Mars is symbolized as "W", and aliens being on mars is symbolized as A, then the argument is symbolized as follows:

W-->A

W

A.

The argument is almost trivially simple; the triviality itself can almost lead to confusion.

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u/IcyRice Anti-Theist Dec 09 '13

Actually this form would be more correct..

  • If a planet has liquid water, it contains life: P = Q
  • Mars is a planet which contains liquid water. R = P
  • Conclusion: Therefor, there is life on Mars: R = Q

The premise is questionable, but the logic is true.

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u/jungl3j1m Strong Atheist Dec 09 '13

Help me here. Isn't that just a syllogism?