People who are interested in analytic philosophy are usually able to make headway with the central topics of conceptual analysis, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of language, but tend to get stuck when they encounter the logic. It seems that a lot of detailed effort, involving unfamiliar symbols, is needed before any philosophical rewards are glimpsed.
This talk will attempt to make a preliminary breach in this daunting barrier, by offering a sketch of the territory. The first part will sketch the main systems of formal languages that interest philosophers, without drowning in the technicalities. The second part will outline why these systems are of interest, and their potential implications.