WEEK 1

1. General Introduction: What is Logic?

Logic (from the Greek term, ‘logos’ [] meaning word, or discourse) is simply the study of
the underlying principles of correct human reasoning. Logic is an art in the sense that it enhances
the human capacity for making informed choices in the resolution of problems, i.e. in matters
requiring reasoning—that special type of thinking in which problems are solved. It is also a
science in the sense that it is a tool for deriving knowledge, new or further knowledge from what
is already known.
Logic was first systematically organized into a coherent area of study by the ancient Greek
philosopher, Aristotle (384-322 BC), who was fascinated by the fact that nearly every statement
is accompanied by some sort of underlying presuppositions or assumptions. For instance, a true
statement: “My granddaughter is a smart child,” presupposes, at least, two things: first, that I am
a grandparent; and second, that I have had a child sometime. Although both of these
presuppositions are not directly said in the original statement, they are somewhat ‘derivable’ or
‘deducible’ from it. According to Aristotle, we are able to make such inferences only by virtue of
logic. This and similar considerations, therefore, led Aristotle to inquire into (and to establish)
certain rules which, if conscientiously observed, would enhance the human capability to organize
thoughts and ideas, think clearly, reason intelligently, and ultimately make progress in
knowledge. It is these rules, then, and how to adopt and apply them correctly, in order to attain
truth and knowledge, that constitute the subject matter of Logic.

Why study Logic?

Logic is not something difficult or far removed from human beings and their daily experience, as
is sometimes thought. On the contrary, it is something we do nearly every moment of the normal
day. In fact, it is something that comes to humans quite naturally. If this is so, someone might be
wondering, why waste time studying it? After all, athletes generally do not need to study human
anatomy and physiology to do well in athletics. Our grandparents and ancestors were intelligent
people, with considerable ability to reason, articulate and resolve difficulties; and yet they never
studied Logic.
This consideration, however, urges upon us a distinction between ‘logic’ as natural
human phenomenon—in the ordinary sense of the natural human reasoning capability—and
‘Logic’ as the formal study of the principles of correct human reasoning. The first refers to the
human natural way of thinking and reasoning, which may or may not be correct, and does not
necessarily involve any formality, whatsoever. The second sense of ‘Logic’, of course, refers to
the formal study of the science of correct human reason, with the aim of enhancing our ability to
argue intelligently in formal circumstances and occasions. This is the sense being referred to in
this study.
However, our study of Logic can be considered worthwhile, for at least three reasons.
First, it takes training and effort to reason correctly. Granted that reasoning is something that
nearly every human being does—and, according to some philosophers, one of the essential
components of our humanity—but not every reasoning is good enough. To put it differently, not
every reasoning (or reason) is reasonable! Being able to reason at all is one thing; being able to

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com)
 reason well enough is quite another. Even though humans are naturally capable of reasoning
well, they are equally naturally capable of reasoning badly. Secondly, a person who reasons well
on one occasion, may, on another occasion, reason rather badly, depending on their emotional or
psychological state, preference, interest, or need. Evidently, the ability to reason soundly is, more
often than not, marred by human emotional inclinations. Thirdly, as Irvin Copi and Carl Cohen
pointed out, reasoning is not just any thinking; rather, it is a special kind of thinking in which
problems are solved. Thus, again, reasoning requires some effort; but reasoning well demands all
the effort a person can muster. All these factors make it necessary for us to rely on rules for
guidance in our formal reasoning processes, in order to attain truth and knowledge—something
we would not be able to do if we relied exclusively on the emotions, or if we did not so much as
recognize that there exist certain formal rules governing human reasoning.

The Importance/Uses of Logic:

The importance or uses of logic are innumerable, because it touches almost every area of human
endeavour. However, to give the student some idea of how logic comes into play in our daily
life, below are a few suggestions. After studying these suggestions, the student is expected to be
able to provide further examples.
i. The first, and primary, importance of logic is its ability to aid the attainment of further
or new knowledge from what is already known, through the logical process of
inference. In fact, no amount of effort can lead us to knowledge in the absence of logic,
whether in the Sciences or the Arts.
ii. In law courts, it is the lawyer who succeeds in marshalling out convincing arguments to
the jury that wins the case. It is only logic that makes this possible. Even if an accused
person is truly guilty of a charge, only the skilful use of logic can bring them to justice,
not sentiments. Similarly, if a person is innocent of a charge, only a good legal defense,
as in skillful use of logic, can save him or her from going to prison for a crime they know
nothing about.
iii. In presidential and other sorts of debate: in modern day truly democratic nations, logic
is needed to make one’s case convincing enough to the voting public. This is true, even
though the electorate may also habour their own political interests. While rhetoric is
important, only logic can render one’s rhetoric sound and appealing to the audience.
iv. In academic scholarship, any scholar who does not follow the rudimentary rules of logic
can hardly make a successful career. Papers and books can only be published if, and only
if, the ideas in them are logically arranged in such a way as to comprehensibly
demonstrate and meaningfully convey the subject matter.
v. Logic creates culture of tolerance; although people need not agree on every issue of
human concern, they can at least arrive at a common ground from which the different
parties can connect. In doing this, it will be realized that no one point of view is
necessarily superior or decisive in an argumentative situation. Sometimes, a person’s
opinion is worth exactly as much as he himself is willing to concede to those of others.
Moreover, no matter how much we think we know, what others have to say about a given
issue, could expand the frontiers of our knowledge. All this is simply because there may
be several perspectives to a given issue; and a person is bound to put other viewpoints
into consideration.
vi. Logic enables abstract enquiry, in such a way that an inquirer does not have to be
physically present to the object or issue of interest. It is only by virtue of Logic that one

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com)
 can do this. This is particularly important because it is not always possible to sensibly
experience objects of interest in an argument or discourse.
vii. Logic enables us to acquire practice in the art of reasoning. A good exposure to the
principles of Logic readily equips the student in this way for a better future. When the
students acquire this practice in reasoning, they would be able to express and analyze
ideas clearly and consistently, much better than those who are not abiding by the
principles of logical reasoning.
viii. Logic enhances the capacity for the development of an independent mindset and the
avoidance of bias, which is an obstacle to learning and knowledge. When a person
acquires the capacity for independent thought, he or she is in a position to examine all the
basic assumptions that ordinary people take for granted, and see if there are any real
bases for such assumptions, whether they are based on facts or merely imposed on
society by the powers that rule it.

Test Questions:

1. What is the distinction between ‘logic’ and ‘Logic’?

2. How would the discovery of Logic have facilitated subsequent scientific

developments?

3. In what sense is Logic both a science and an art?

4. Mention three reasons why the study of Logic can be considered a

worthwhile exertion?

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com)