Nature and Logic

Philosophy 103: Introduction to Logic

The Nature of Logic

Abstract: Some of the uses of logic are illustrated, and deductive arguments are briefly distinguished from inductive arguments.

I. Logic is the study of the methods and principles used in distinguishing correct from incorrect reasoning.

B. Logic differs from psychology in being a normative or a prescriptive discipline rather than a descriptive discipline.

1. I.e., it prescribes how one ought to reason; it's not concerned with how one actually does reason.

2. Logic is concerned with laying down the rules for correct reasoning.

3. Consequently, logic seeks to distinguish good arguments from poor ones.

II. How Logic helps reasoning:

A. "Practice makes better." Some examples of how this course can help reasoning about the world are as follows.

1. Consider this syllogism:

All followers of Senator Jones are in favor of higher taxes.

All communists are in favor of higher taxes.

All