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What Is Logic

Logic is the study of principles and techniques for distinguishing good arguments from bad ones, emphasizing critical thinking and reasoning. It serves as a tool in philosophy, aiding in the evaluation and construction of arguments while also being relevant in fields like mathematics and computer science. The study of logic enhances one's ability to analyze arguments, detect fallacies, and think clearly.

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21 views17 pages

What Is Logic

Logic is the study of principles and techniques for distinguishing good arguments from bad ones, emphasizing critical thinking and reasoning. It serves as a tool in philosophy, aiding in the evaluation and construction of arguments while also being relevant in fields like mathematics and computer science. The study of logic enhances one's ability to analyze arguments, detect fallacies, and think clearly.

Uploaded by

001rebeccalugbe
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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WHAT IS LOGIC?

DEFINITIONS
*
Definition
• there are so many definitions by various
authors. But these definitions have one thing
in common- they emphasise that logic deals
with thinking and the laws guiding it
Some definitions
• “Logic is the study of the principles and
techniques of distinguishing good arguments
from bad arguments.”- A.G.A. Bello
• Logic is the study of the methods and
principles used to distinguish correct
reasoning from incorrect reasoning.”- I.M.
Copi and Carl Cohen
• “Logic is the study of argument.”- John Nolt,
Dennis Rohatyn, and Achille Varzi.
• “Logic may be defined as the organised body of
knowledge, or science, that evaluates
arguments.”-Patrick J. Hurley
• roughly speaking logic is the study of methods
for evaluating arguments. More precisely, logic is
the study of methods for evaluating whether the
premises of an argument adequately support (or
provide good evidence for) its conclusion.
Essential lessons from the definitions
• 1. logic is a study
• 2. it studies arguments. How to determine
whether an argument is good or bad.
Working definition

• Logic is a branch of philosophy. It is a tool of


philosophy also. It is a branch of philosophy
where we learn the principle with which we
distinguish good argument from bad
arguments.
The aim of Logic
• Logic aims at achieving three things
• 1. logic enables us to have at our disposal criteria
that can be used to test if an argument is good or
bad, Valid or invalid, sound or unsound, deductive
or inductive.
• 2. to develop a system of methods and principles
that can be used in criteria for evaluating the
arguments made by others
• 3. to develop a system of methods, principles, and
techniques that can serve as guides for making
arguments of our own.
Usefulness in Philosophy
• Logic as a branch of philosophy and as a tool plays
a critical role in the discipline of philosophy. It
helps the philosopher to critically engage
arguments.
• 1. it helps you to engage arguments of others and
determine whether they are good or bad
• 2. it helps you to construct arguments that are
good. A GOOD ARGUMENT IS ONE FREE OF
ERRORS/LOOPHOLES. WHICH ARE NOT
FALLACIOUS IN NATURE.
Logic and philosophy (contd.)
• Logic matters because in actual fact much of what philosophers
do involves the evaluation of other people’s arguments and the
construction of arguments of one’s own. In doing this logic
enables a philosopher to evaluate the arguments of others and at
the same time to construct arguments that are not fallacious- i.e
arguments that are not filled with errors. Even though people
who do not study logic may be able to do this but the study of
logic enables one to be more able to analyse arguments with
more precision, systematically and with more confidence. C.
Stephen Layman therefore rightly holds that “through the study
of logic, one learns strategies for thinking well, common errors in
reasoning to avoid, and effective techniques for evaluating
arguments.” We may say then that “the aim of logic is to develop
a system of methods and principles that we may use as criteria
for evaluating the arguments of others and as guides in
constructing arguments of our own.
Logic and other disciplines
• Logic is not only of importance to philosophy.
It is also of great importance to mathematics,
linguistics, SEMANTICS, engineering and
computer science.
Importance of logic
• Logic is the study of reasoning. It is not the case that
those who have not studied logic will not be able to
make rational judgements, however, the study of logic
enables us to have mastery of the principles
underlining our thoughts i.e, principles of
distinguishing good reasoning from bad reasoning.
Accordingly, Copi and Cohen rightly held that “the
study of logic helps one to reason well by illuminating
the principles of correct reasoning, explaining them,
justifying them, and exhibiting their effective use.”
Logic enables us to identify arguments and determine
whether they are good arguments or bad arguments
and why they are good or bad.
The Value of Logic
ALL OUR DIGNITY LIES IN THOUGHT- Blaise Pascal
• Logic inculcates in us certain abilities that
enhance our capacity for the construction of
good argument
• It enables us to do a critical and reflective
analysis of issues with a view to differentiating
the essentials from the inessentials.
• It enables us to think clearly
The Value of Logic (Cont.)
• It affects character and attitude. A training in
logic makes one to be rational and more
intelligently alert. Such a training makes one to
be slow in accepting other people’s ideas without
proper scrutiny.
• An individual who has received a training in Logic
is more likely to question own prejudices and
rationalisations
• It helps in detecting fallacies in argument
• It is useful in the law court
Types of Logic
• Informal logic
• FORMAL LOGIC
• SYMBOLIC LOGIC
• PREDICATE LOGIC
• PROPOSITIONAL LOGIC
• MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
• INDUCTIVE LOGIC
Types of Logic
• Informal logic- this deals with arguments without
forms. In this branch of logic an effort is directed
at developing a logic suitable for treating and
analysing arguments in natural (i.e. everyday,
ordinary) language/discourse. It deals with logic
outside the area of formal logic. The study of
informal fallacies is a good example
• Formal logic- this deals with arguments with form.
It is the study of logic with formal content. E.G.
Modus Ponens, Modus Tollens, Hypothetical
Syllogism
• Propositional logic- It deals with the study of
logical relationships and properties of
propositions
• Symbolic logic- the study of symbols employed
in denoting propositions, terms and relations
in order to assist reasoning.
• Predicate logic-
• Inductive logic- the study of principles,
techniques of handling inductive arguments.
Inductive arguments are arguments that there
premises do not give conclusive support to the
conclusion.
• Mathematical logic- this is an extension of
symbolic logic into other areas, particularly to
the study of model theory, proof theory, set
theory etc.

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