Logic class Forum

[jlam01342]

I'm having a hard time grasping the logic games, but I think there's a more mathematical approach to the games. Would anyone recommend taking a logic class to improve my scores/hone my approach?

[riotforcoffee]

I'm given to the view that you shouldn't be choosing classes based on what would help you perform on a standardized test. I say this not to undermine the important of the LSAT but because a class in college (in the simplest terms, about 1/32 of your collegiate academic experience) shouldn't be the means to an end. If you are interested in logic however, then its applicability to the LSAT is just icing on the cake.

[valley splitter]

I'm given to the view that you shouldn't be choosing classes based on what would help you perform on a standardized test. I say this not to undermine the important of the LSAT but because a class in college (in the simplest terms, about 1/32 of your collegiate academic experience) shouldn't be the means to an end. If you are interested in logic however, then its applicability to the LSAT is just icing on the cake.

Isn't every college class a means to an end (i.e. getting that first degree, gaining acceptance to a graduate program)?

[cigrainger]

I'm given to the view that you shouldn't be choosing classes based on what would help you perform on a standardized test. I say this not to undermine the important of the LSAT but because a class in college (in the simplest terms, about 1/32 of your collegiate academic experience) shouldn't be the means to an end. If you are interested in logic however, then its applicability to the LSAT is just icing on the cake.

Isn't every college class a means to an end (i.e. getting that first degree, gaining acceptance to a graduate program)?

Or you could be interested in learning.

[anmo]

I took a logic class. It helped me more for LR than LG though and I loved the class. Just cause it's a means to an end doesn't mean it shouldn't be taken. Also, it can be fun and developing and practicing your ability to think and reason logically is never a bad thing.

[valley splitter]

I'm given to the view that you shouldn't be choosing classes based on what would help you perform on a standardized test. I say this not to undermine the important of the LSAT but because a class in college (in the simplest terms, about 1/32 of your collegiate academic experience) shouldn't be the means to an end. If you are interested in logic however, then its applicability to the LSAT is just icing on the cake.

Isn't every college class a means to an end (i.e. getting that first degree, gaining acceptance to a graduate program)?

Or you could be interested in learning.

True. I should have said a lot of college classes are a means to an end. Obviously, classes in one's major are taken because of a certain interest in the subject. In my case, I did biochem and finance so classes like history, political science, and gender studies were a complete waste of my time (means to an end).

[cigrainger]

I'm given to the view that you shouldn't be choosing classes based on what would help you perform on a standardized test. I say this not to undermine the important of the LSAT but because a class in college (in the simplest terms, about 1/32 of your collegiate academic experience) shouldn't be the means to an end. If you are interested in logic however, then its applicability to the LSAT is just icing on the cake.

Isn't every college class a means to an end (i.e. getting that first degree, gaining acceptance to a graduate program)?

Or you could be interested in learning.

True. I should have said a lot of college classes are a means to an end. Obviously, classes in one's major are taken because of a certain interest in the subject. In my case, I did biochem and finance so classes like history, political science, and gender studies were a complete waste of my time (means to an end).

I was just giving you a hard time. Although it's sad that you see history and polisci as a complete waste of time.

[SwineState]

I took a logic class thinking that it would help me prepare for LSAT, but all we worked on was formal logic. The professor completely skipped informal logic and fallacies. The value of the class to your LSAT prep really depends on how the professor approaches the material. Might be a good idea to ask for an advance copy of the syllabus.

[neimanmarxist]

I took a logic class in college and found what I learned to be really helpful when prepping for the LSAT- 10 years later! I also used a lot of those skills (argument construction, etc.) in my graduate work before I decided to go to law school .

Take a close look at the syllabus and make sure that they're covering the rules of symbolic logic as well as those of formal logic. You'll find it pretty useful, I imagine, in your writing and thinking as you become a lawyer.

Alternately there's a nice little book on logic by Quine and another one by Walton that could be a good substitute if you don't want to take the plunge and devote a whole semester to logic. Our logic professor was notoriously tough and I got one of my worst grades in college in that class despite busting my hiney and haranguing the TA for extra help incessantly.

[RMstratosphere]

I also took a logic class before taking the LSAT.
I didn't do this intentionally, it was part of my major that coincidentally ended up where it did.
I thought the class was very helpful later on for LR and LG.
I would recommend it.

[dextermorgan]

I took a logic class. It helped me more for LR than LG though and I loved the class. Just cause it's a means to an end doesn't mean it shouldn't be taken. Also, it can be fun and developing and practicing your ability to think and reason logically is never a bad thing.

+1. Actually, it didn't do anything for LG for me.

[pattymac]

Definitely worth it. My prof covered formal and informal logic in depth. The fallacies are unreal for flaw questions and it sharpens your knowledge of contrapositives, mistaken reversals, etc. Even the Venn Diagrams came in handy.

[riotforcoffee]

Alternatively, you could self-study logic in your free time, consulting appropriate books. I spent about two or three days reading Deborah Bennett's Logic Made Easy. It's a very accessible gateway into reading more formal books on logic.

[pattymac]

^ Why not get an easy credit though? If you've already started studying or covered some of the LR bible, some of the class should be an absolute cakewalk for you.

Once again....highly recommended.