WHAT DOES LOGIC STUDY? - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The logic is studying how to evaluate the reasoning and arguments. Proposes the use of reasonable or correct arguments through critical thinking.

According to logic, a valid thought is one that has a logical support or relationship with an argument that is correct.

Aristotle, recognized as the father of logic.

Through critical thinking, logic is able to evaluate the veracity and validity of all arguments. In this way, he separates the truth from the inventions and falsehoods.

When you want to evaluate an argument, statement or idea, it is essential to use critical thinking to determine its veracity.

This process is important since, according to logic, there are no trivial searches, all analysis leads to making good decisions and forming correct ideas about the world (Cline, 2017).

Logic is a tool that helps to develop reasonable conclusions based on certain information. These conclusions are alien to all kinds of emotions and treat information in its purest form.

In this way, logic is divided into multiple categories including informal, formal, symbolic, and mathematical logic.

Object of study of logic

There is no universal agreement that determines the exact spectrum of matter covered by logic. However, logic has traditionally included the following subjects of study:

• The classification of arguments.
• The systematic exposition of the "logical forms" common to all valid arguments.
• The study of inferences.
• The analysis of the fallacies.
• The study of semantics (including paradoxes).

Historically, logic has been studied by philosophy. The first samples of the study of this science date from Ancient Greece.

Since the 19th century and to date, logic has been responsible for dealing with mathematical problems and information related to computer science, linguistics, psychology and other fields.

Informal logic

Informal logic is what we use daily to analyze situations, reason about everyday events, and make arguments. It consists of two types of reasoning: deductive and inductive (Study.com, 2017).

Deductive reasoning

It is the first type of informal logical reasoning and is characterized by using information from a wide group of conventions, and then applying that information to any element that is within the same conventions. An example would be structured as follows:

• Major premise: All math teachers are boring.
• Minor premise: Laura is a math teacher.
• Conclusion: Laura is boring.

The major premise makes a statement that encompasses all members of a profession. The minor premise identifies a member of that profession. The conclusion declares an attribute or characteristic about that person taking into account what is stated by the major premise.

It is important to clarify that deductive thinking only works when both premises are true.

Using generalizing words like "all" immediately nullifies the validity of an argument. However, when using terms like “some”, the premise is more likely to be accepted (SEP, 2017).

Inductive reasoning

This type of reasoning uses specific information from a general conclusion. It operates in the opposite way to deductive reasoning. An example would be structured as follows:

• Yesterday, you left for work at 7:15 am and you were on time.
• Today, you left for work at 7:15 am and you were on time.
• So if you leave for work at 7:15 am, you will always be on time.

In this example, we have a small set of data (two days to get to work on time) and we have concluded that this event will always be the same.

Inductive reasoning requires a lot of data, the more data you have at hand, the easier it will be to make a valid conclusion. Having only two pieces of information is not enough.

Formal logic

Formal logic is based on deductive reasoning and the validity of the inferences produced. For an argument to work, the conclusion must logically follow the premises and they must be true (Schagrin & Hughes, 2017).

Within formal logic, the inferences that take place within informal logic are represented as follows:

• All A's are B's.
• Some C's are A's.
• In conclusion, some C's with B's.

It does not matter which premise is used to represent variables A, B, and C., as long as those premises are true. In this way, the conclusion will always be valid and verifiable.

Critical thinking

The term "critical thinking" is commonly misused. Critical thinking is, in short, the rational and reliable evaluation of an argument or idea (DeLecce, 2012).

Critical thinking is the means of separating the truth from fallacies and reasonable beliefs from those that are not. It often involves finding fault with the arguments of others, but it is not just about this.

Critical thinking is not only responsible for criticizing ideas, since its objective is to be able to develop the ability to think about ideas from a greater critical distance (Glaser, 2015).

Logical fallacies

Logical fallacies are incorrectly reasoned statements. There are many types of fallacies, but the following are the most important:

Ad hominem

The literal translation of this term is "to the person." This happens when the person is attacked rather than the argument.

Stereotypes

People use stereotypes all the time, many times without knowing we are doing it. Many premises are based on stereotypes that have no logical validity.

Lack of information

When we reach a conclusion without having enough data, we fall into a fallacy due to lack of information.

False dilemma

Information is often simplified. A false dilemma implies that there are only two options, that is, that you are for or against a premise, there is no third position.

Post hoc / ergo propter hoc

The Latin translation of this term means "it happened before this, then it happened because of this." A good way to exemplify this fallacy is to say “whenever I wash my car, it rains” (Dowden, 2017).

References

1. Cline, A. (March 4, 2017). thoughtco. Obtained from What is Logic? What is Critical Thinking ?: thoughtco.com.
2. DeLecce, T. (2012, December 22). Study. com. Retrieved from Critical Thinking Defined: study.com.
3. Dowden, B. (2017). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Obtained from Fallacies: iep.utm.edu.
4. Glaser, EM (2015). The Critical Thinking Community. Obtained from Defining Critical Thinking: criticalthinking.org.
5. Schagrin, ML, & Hughes, G. (2017). Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved from Formal logic: britannica.com.
6. SEP (January 2, 2017). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Obtained from Informal Logic: plato.stanford.ed.
7. Study.com. (2017). Study.com. Obtained from What is Logic? - Definition & Examples: study.com.