INTRODUCTORY LOGIC
Husain Heriyanto
What is the logic?
When someone says, “Your speech has a logical argument”, we conceive that the
term “logical” in that sentence means a reasonable thing. While the sentence “I should
explain my suggestion logically”, we conceive that the term “logically” contains the meaning
as a systematic manner, an obvious understanding.
Therefore, we can say that logic is concerned with reason, mind, a method of
thinking to be coherent and consistent, a way how to use the mind properly.
Several Definitions of Logic
the branch of philosophy that reflects upon the nature of thinking (compare with:
metaphysics that reflects on the nature of the universe; epistemology that reflects
on the nature of knowledge, ethics that reflects on the nature of conduct or deed)
= logic is perhaps the most fundamental branch of philosophy
the study of the methods and principles used to distinguish good (correct) reasoning
from bad (incorrect) reasoning; the discipline that attempts to distinguish good
inferences from bad one logic is the science of “good reasons”
a set of rules (laws) of thought that helps one distinguish the valid from the invalid
explanatory phrase and proof (Ibn Sina).
Scope of Logic
So, logic can be considered as:
- a branch of philosophy
- a tool of philosophy and any scientific enterprise analytical method, drawing
conclusion (reasoning is closely connected with inferring)
- a skill and art to employ the mind; how to think properly
Difference between logic and other disciplines
We can come to know better logic (scope, subject matter) if we make comparison
between logic and other disciplines, for example, psychology and ethics
Logic Psychology Ethics
Subject matter correct reasoning all types of thinking - doing correct conduct
Sort of science normative factual normative
Logic deals only with a type of thinking called “reasoning”; it doesn’t deal with all
types of thinking such as learning, remembering, daydreaming, supposing, imagining,
assuming, forecasting, and any sort of mental process. Reasoning is a specific kind of
thinking in which there are some reasons as evidence for establishing a certain conclusion.
All reasoning is thinking, but not all thinking is reasoning.
We can say that reasoning is a reflective thinking (thinking carefully, deeply,
consciously); not thinking mechanically, habitually. Reasoning needs consideration and
reflection. Furthermore, logic is concerned with the principle and rules how to reason
correctly (correct reasoning).
Psychology studies the mental process of different types of thinking as well as
behavioural conduct; it doesn’t pay attention to the problems how to think properly like
logic or how to do correctly like ethics. It attempts to know what causes and effects of some
mental process and conduct without to know what we should do as human beings.
Meanwhile logic takes account of such questions as: “What is correct reasoning?”,
“What distinguishes a good reasoning from a bad one?” Are there any methods to detect
fallacies in reasoning, and what are they?” This is just like in ethics: “What is correct
conduct?” (normative question).
Why should we study logic?
- term “reasoning” refers to the fundamental characteristic of human beings
“reasoning animal”
- Most people think as well as behave mechanically, habitually; they don’t think
reflectively and properly, don’t enhance and empower the mind. Having mind is not
similar to that employing mind.
- In fact, all of us always need our mind to make decision, know and understand
reality. Everywhere, every time, we are drawing many conclusions/inferences and
making decision toward the world, even ourselves. We are decision maker. Most of
us, however, are not aware of this phenomenon. We just think habitually.
- We don’t realise how important that phenomenon is to us. If we make mistake in
inferring a conclusion, then we’ll be wrong in making decision.
- We don’t know the principles of thought, how the mind works. In fact, there are he
rules, principles, laws of thought. Just as if we know the laws of nature then we can
comprehend nature more properly along with controlling and managing it; we can
manage and empower our mind also if we know its laws and principles.
- So, we should know and discover how our mind works in, what the rules, laws and
principles exist in the mind in such a way that we are able to think and reason more
properly and reflectively. This is why we should study logic.
What is the importance of logic?
We can apply ‘correct reasoning’ in: academic and daily life domains. Academic
domain: philosophical issues/problems and scientifical enterprise. Daily life domain: any
our daily life activities and problems.
For philosophical problems:
o clarification of the concepts (this is very important; abstract concepts)
o a tool of analysis and systematic explanation
For scientific enterprise:
o method of inference (making conclusion)
o planning and organizing research
o arranging and systematizing problems
For daily life activities:
o to formulate problems
o to organise and arrange problems
o “problem solving needs problem organizing”
(We have many problems we should organise, prioritise
