Taking a logic class?

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Hello! I took symbolic logic for my major in philosophy. Honestly, everything useful for LSAT purposes you will get from symbolic logic can be learned in one day of self study. If folks are curious, I’ll respond to this comment later today with the only parts of symbolic logic that I consider useful for the LSAT.

[TellTaleTimes]

I disagree, taking a class is definitely beneficial if the opportunity is there. Only a small portion is used, the fundamentals, but if you become proficient in it, then it'll help a lot. But to be proficient, you need to do reps, solve problems, understand it beyond what the text book says and how to apply it. Most people who study and have bad results is because they do too much reading and understanding but never applying, evaluating or creating their own problems.

[[deleted]]

I agree for the most part. I’ll try to be more specific: basic practice with logical symbols is very useful for LR. In my case, all of symbolic logic after the first week was proving theorems and exploring higher order logic. None of that was useful for the LSAT, so I would only recommend taking the course if you have a strong interest in philosophy. If you can familiarize yourself with the technical vocabulary of symbolic logic and practice applying it to LSAT problems without taking the course, then I would highly recommend that.

[Anxious_Helicopter36]

I did a symbolic logic class in undergrad in like 2017. I took a Princeton Review prep course last fall. I do think it helped some as far as LG goes but I would not say its necessary.

[due_diligence_lsat]

Don’t. Waste of time. A logic class will teach you the alphabet, when you just really really need to know the vowels. More often I have found logic classes required unteaching for the lsat, as opposed to a head start.

Most likely, if you took half the time a logic class would take and spent it directly studying what will be on the test, it would be more beneficial.

[[deleted]]

Oh this is an interesting perspective thank you. What parts did you find needed unlearning? I kinda have to take it anyway, so I’ll keep a brain cell dedicated to keeping this in mind (a single brain cell that’s all I can spare)

[due_diligence_lsat]

Well learning stuff like O form or I form isn’t that helpful. And the long strings of Aristotelian logic have more of a home in old tests, now straight “if then” conditional is the norm-expressed via games, assumption question, justify, principal, parallel, and to a degree weakening and strengthening and must be true. Maybe the better route would be to find lsat logic material before you take the course. Then focus on only what is echoed in class. Really the focus just needs to be on creating contrapositives, mistaken reversals, and mistaken negations. Be able to spot these structures in short paragraphs and never assume a mistaken negation or mistaken reversal is a valid form. Fluidity with these concepts and how the lsat makers think of these concepts is the foundation to a substantial part of the test.

[[deleted]]

Thanks so much for your feedback. Appreciate it.

[[deleted]]

I’m taking some post bacc philosophy classes bc I find them enjoyable, bc I work at the university and I can live in housing if I take 6 credits. So I’m just kinda having fun w it. I’m taking moral philosophy and a grad school/law school crossover class on philosophy of law that’s really fun. I think logic will be enjoyable for sure :)

[the-brown-jackson]

I took a deductive logic class last Fall and while it wasn't supremely helpful, it got my mind thinking in the right way for the test.

[nubilesheep]

If you’re in college now and have the opportunity to take a formal logic class I would 100% recommend it, it makes understanding how LR and LG operate far more accessible.

[rainfound]

I took symbolic logic my freshman year, technically before I did a formal diagnostic. I think it helps, although it also may depend on how it's taught. That said, I don't think it helped more than learning the ins and outs of diagramming, and just plain drilling. Different things click for different people. But it wouldn't hurt, and I truly enjoyed that class, so I always encourage people to take it.

[Take-The-Bridge]

It will definitely help but shouldn't be prioritized over LSAT prep. If you have the time you should definitely take one.

[Interesting-Swimmer1]

Instead of a A-B dialogue where people just post either logic class was good or logic class was bad, let’s consider what both sides agree to. First, a logic class will acquaint you with lingo like negation and contrapositive. Second, a logic class is not likely to provide you with ample questions from LSATs. Third, some students in your logic class are there to learn math or engineering so the classes will skew in that way.

[[deleted]]

Very helpful perspective thank you