Definitions of logic

Definitions of logic

Many treatises on logic begin with a discursion on the difficulty of defining the subject, many do not even attempt to provide a definition. Nevertheless, many definitions have been offered because it is felt to be necessary.

This article divides the definitions into two classes: first are the simple definitions, that consist of a pithy sentence characterising the topic; second are theoretical definitions, where the definition of logic turns on an analysis the definer provides.

Contents

Simple definitions of logic

Arranged in approximate chronological order.

  • The tool for distinguishing between the true and the false (Averroes).
  • The science of reasoning, teaching the way of investigating unknown truth in connection with a thesis (Robert Kilwardby).
  • The art whose function is to direct the reason lest it err in the manner of inferring or knowing (John Poinsot).
  • The art of conducting reason well in knowing things (Antoine Arnauld).
  • The right use of reason in the inquiry after truth (Isaac Watts).
  • The Science, as well as the Art, of reasoning (Richard Whately).
  • The science of the operations of the understanding which are subservient to the estimation of evidence (John Stuart Mill).
  • The science of the laws of discursive thought (James McCosh).
  • The science of the most general laws of truth (Gottlob Frege).
  • The science which directs the operations of the mind in the attainment of truth (George Hayward Joyce).
  • The branch of philosophy concerned with analysing the patterns of reasoning by which a conclusion is drawn from a set of premisses (Collins English Dictionary)
  • The formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning (Penguin Encyclopedia).

Theoretical definitions of logic

Quine (1940, pp. 2–3) defines logic in terms of a logical vocabulary, which in turn is identified by an argument that the many particular vocabularies —Quine mentions geological vocabulary— are used in their particular discourses together with a common, topic-independent kernel of terms.[1] These terms, then, constitute the logical vocabulary, and the logical truths are those truths common to all particular topics.

Hofweber (2004) lists several definitions of logic, and goes on to claim that all definitions of logic are of one of four sorts. These are that logic is the study of: (i) artificial formal structures, (ii) sound inference (e.g., Poinsot), (iii) tautologies (e.g., Watts), or (iv) general features of thought (e.g., Frege). He argues then that these definitions are related to each other, but do not exhaust each other, and that an examination of formal ontology shows that these mismatches between rival definitions is due to tricky issues in ontology.

Notes

  1. ^ Cf. Ferreiros, 2001

References

  • Ferreiros, J. (2001). The road to modern logic: an interpretation. In Bulletin of Symbolic Logic 7(4):441-483.
  • Frege, G. (1897). Logic. transl. Long, P. & White, R., Posthumous Writings.
  • Hofweber, T. (2004). Logic and ontology. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
  • Joyce, G.H. (1908). Principles of Logic. London.
  • Kilwardby, R. The Nature of Logic, from De Ortu Scientarum, transl. Kretzmann, in Kretzmann N. & Stump E., The Cambridge Translation of Medieval Philosophical Texts, Vol I. Cambridge 1988, pp. 262 ff.)
  • McCosh, J. (1870). The Laws of Discursive Thought. London.
  • Mill, J.S. (1904). A System of Logic. 8th edition. London.
  • Poinsot, J. (1637/1955). 'Outlines of Formal Logic'. In his Ars Logica, Lyons 1637, ed. and transl. F.C. Wade, 1955.
  • Quine, W.V.O. (1940/1981). Mathematical Logic. Third edition. Harvard University Press.
  • Watts, I. (1725). Logick.
  • Whateley, R.. Elements of Logic.

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Definitions of Logic — Most treatises on logic begin with a discursion on the difficulty of defining the subject. Nevertheless, a definition is felt to be necessary. Here is a short summary of Definitions of logic that logicians throughout history have attempted,… …   Wikipedia

  • Logic — • A historical survey from Indian and Pre Aristotelian philosophy to the Logic of John Stuart Mill Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Logic     Logic      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Logic — For other uses, see Logic (disambiguation). Philosophy …   Wikipedia

  • logic, philosophy of — Philosophical study of the nature and scope of logic. Examples of questions raised in the philosophy of logic are: In virtue of what features of reality are the laws of logic true? ; How do we know the truths of logic? ; and Could the laws of… …   Universalium

  • Logic and the philosophy of mathematics in the nineteenth century — John Stillwell INTRODUCTION In its history of over two thousand years, mathematics has seldom been disturbed by philosophical disputes. Ever since Plato, who is said to have put the slogan ‘Let no one who is not a geometer enter here’ over the… …   History of philosophy

  • Logic programming — is, in its broadest sense, the use of mathematical logic for computer programming. In this view of logic programming, which can be traced at least as far back as John McCarthy s [1958] advice taker proposal, logic is used as a purely declarative… …   Wikipedia

  • logic, history of — Introduction       the history of the discipline from its origins among the ancient Greeks to the present time. Origins of logic in the West Precursors of ancient logic       There was a medieval tradition according to which the Greek philosopher …   Universalium

  • Definitions of mathematics — Mathematics has no generally accepted definition. Different schools of thought, particularly in philosophy, have put forth radically different definitions. All are controversial. Contents 1 Survey of leading definitions 1.1 Early definitions 1.2… …   Wikipedia

  • Definitions of science fiction — Science fiction includes such a wide range of themes and subgenres that it is notoriously difficult to define.[1] This is a list of definitions that have been offered by authors, editors, critics and fans over the years since science fiction… …   Wikipedia

  • formal logic — the branch of logic concerned exclusively with the principles of deductive reasoning and with the form rather than the content of propositions. [1855 60] * * * Introduction       the abstract study of propositions, statements, or assertively used …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”