Introduction

This manual may help you become a mentat. I say may because not everyone has the proper inclination or temperament. For the novice mentats who do, I wish you luck on your journey.

Mentats are skilled players with symbols and words. A basic vocabulary of symbols (some of which are concrete; others of which are mutable) is necessary to begin your training. This glossary will help you begin.

Explanation of the Symbols

curly brackets { contain helpful advice }

parentheses ( group stuff together )

{ if you don't understand, read it aloud }

L : defines a law of logic

{ and yes, novice mentats find this stuff difficult }

so play with it

( = equals equals )

Logical Symbols

P = a statement, expressed as a simple sentence

Q = another statement, expressed as a simple sentence

T = True

F = False

¬ = not (or negation)

∧ = and (or conjunction)

∨ = or (or disjunction)

→ = conditional (or implies)

↔ = biconditional (or equivalence)

L : = Law of

Symbols That Dance With Meaning

{ read the following aloud }

/ = slash = or

| = 1

or | = 1 / 4

+ = plus or 5

O = 0 or zero / oh

dot = .

. = 1

.. = 2

. . . = think for yourself

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