Flowcharting the Meaning of Logic Formulas

Abstract

Abstract-In logic, representation of a domain (e.g., physical reality) comprises the things its expressions (formulas) refer to and their relationships. Recent research has examined the realm of nonsymbolic representations, especially diagrams. It is claimed that, in general, diagrams have advantages over linguistic descriptions. Current diagrammatic representations of logic formulas do not completely depict their underlying semantics, and they lack a basic static structure that incorporates elementary dynamic features, creating a conceptual gap that can lead to misinterpretation. This paper demonstrates a methodology for mapping the sense of a logic formula and producing diagrams that integrate linguistic conception, truthvalues, and meaning and can be used in teaching, communication, and understanding, especially with students specializing in logic representation and reasoning.