ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Resolution (logic)

Resolution in logic is like playing a game of matching puzzle pieces. Suppose you have two statements, one is "All dogs have tails" and the other one is "Lassie is a dog". Now, you try to match these two pieces like a puzzle and form a new statement that logically follows from them.

Here's how you do it: You ask yourself, "If all dogs have tails and Lassie is a dog, can I logically conclude that Lassie has a tail?" And the answer is YES! So, you put these two statements together and make a new statement: "Lassie has a tail."

That's what resolution in logic means - it's a process of combining two or more statements (called premises) to form a new statement (called a conclusion) that follows logically from the premises.

Of course, it's not always that simple. Sometimes the statements are more complicated and there is more than one way to match them up. But the basic idea remains the same - you look for ways to fit the pieces together and create a new logical statement.

Resolution is an important tool in logic because it allows us to prove or disprove arguments and theories. By testing the logical connections between different statements, we can determine whether they are true, false, or uncertain. So, next time you're solving a puzzle or trying to make sense of an argument, remember the power of resolution!