I’m not going to say that math isn’t necessary, because that’s just a silly claim to make. Instead, I’m going to be arguing that having separate logic and math requirements is redundant. In other words, why require both courses for graduation for certain majors, like philosophy?
The basic principles of math are built on top of the basic principles of logic. Logic, especially in the case of “if-then” statements, is very much mathematical in nature. For example, if I have “x” amount of something and either take away or add “y,” the result is “z.” Logically and mathematically, when there are no additional variables this holds to be true.
Another aspect of logic, and in the way it is taught, is that it introduces basic math through word problems. On the next level, it builds into something a little more like algebra. Then it jumps into something more akin to calculus. In fact, it’s often called logical calculus. The question I’m posing to you is this: If we have the ability to go through math or logic, and come out of both subjects with the same result, then why as students aren’t we given the choice?
Math and logic, much like science, is our basic means of classifying and quantifying the universe. It allows us to group things together and to assign certain truths to various concepts. In the case of math, there is an amount of something, 17 apples for example, because they are visible and easily counted. Logic comes across in essentially the same way, yet it can easily be applied to argumentation as well.
Similar to that are the various logical argumentative fallacies; there are also the mathematical fallacies, both generally leading to a wrong answer. Where logical fallacies are faulty reasoning within arguments, mathematical fallacies tend to be wrong due to the fact that some variable was misattributed or overlooked. They’re almost exactly the same path to the same result, just using a different medium.
So why doesn’t NEIU give the option of using a 200-level logic course as a basic math requirement? In terms of the teaching and learning of either discipline, they are very similar in result. Then again, this would mean that students who need to take logic, such as philosophy majors, would not have to have to take an additional math class unless they choose to do so. Still, there would be a choice to make, and that is the important thing.
It isn’t as if there would be no people who would take math. There are many majors that require math courses, like science, business, accounting or education. There are also those students who would choose math courses instead of logic. Neither of these groups would be affected in a major way were this option to be offered. Teachers in either discipline would get students who are genuinely more interested in the class, especially since it would go directly in their major or minor.
Either way, everyone is happy.