ELI5: logic

// eli5

What is logic?

Logic is a way of thinking that helps you figure out if something is true or false by following clear rules, like a game with specific steps you have to follow [6][8]. It's like when you notice that all dogs are animals, and your pet is a dog, so your pet must be an animal [6].

Why does it matter?

Logic helps you make good decisions and avoid tricking yourself into believing things that aren't true [7]. When someone tries to fool you with a bad argument, knowing about logic helps you spot the trick [7].

What are logical fallacies?

A logical fallacy is when someone uses a trick or bad reasoning to try to prove something, even though their argument doesn't really work [7]. For example, saying "everyone else jumped off a bridge, so you should too" uses a fallacy because other people doing something doesn't make it a good idea [7].

How do you use logic?

You use logic by asking questions like "Is this really true?" and "Does this make sense?" and following the chain of ideas to see if they all connect properly [6][8].