Use of Logic Essay Example for Free

Use of Logic Essay Logic plays a big role in our society today. In fact logic has played a big role in the advancement of civilization. There are many forms of logic and many different applications that go along with them. Logic seeks out the truth in statements through deduction and reasoning. Using logic one can test the validity of a statement just by understanding the format and the content of an argument. Logic is considered to be the science of reasoning and is mathematically inspired as it seeks an answer. Logic is not considered scientifically sound unless it is based off true premises. Sense logic is based off form it is safe to say that it is formal science. Logic is said to have historically originated from the Ancient Greek Philosopher Aristotle. Using the teaching of universal definition from Socrates, Aristotle devised a logical system. â€Å"Aristotle holds that a proposition is a complex involving two terms, a subject and a predicate, each of which is represented grammatically with a noun. The logical form of a proposition is determined by its quantity and by it quality.†(King, Peter, and Stewart Shapiro. THE HISTORY OF LOGIC). Through investigation of the relationship the two terms shared Aristotle theorized that if in certain form one could determine the validity of an argument. â€Å"Logic was further developed and systematized by the Stoics and by the medieval scholastic philosophers. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, logic saw explosive growth, which has continued up to the present.† (Drakos, Nikos, and Ross Moore. Logic and Mathematics). Logic is very useful when debating. â€Å"If engaged in properly, Philosophical arguments can open minds. It can rid us of ignorance and the evils of blind prejudices† (Falikowski, Anthony F. 128). From studying and understanding logic one can pick apart arguments. Just from the form and content of the argument its validity can be assessed. Not only is this useful when arguing as you judge the strength of someone else’s argument it can also benefit your own argument. Through logic you can see the flaws and weaknesses of your own argument. Then by reflecting on your own thoughts one can make their argument stand on their own if it is truly valid. Deductive logic is a form of logic and its more popular subdivision has been given standardized names: modus ponens, modus tollens, and syllogisms. Modus ponens is where you affirm the consequent by affirming the antecedent (If p, then q. p. therefore q.). Modus tollens is actually the opposite of modus ponens. Modus tollens is where the antecedent is denied through denying the consequent (If p, then q. Not q. Therefore not p.). Syllogisms on the other hand are not as concrete as the previous forms. The subdivisions of syllogisms but not limited to: hypothetical syllogisms, disjunctive syllogisms, categorical syllogisms, and practical syllogisms. â€Å"An extremely important form of deductive argument often used in philosophical debate is the syllogism which involve practical value reasoning† (Falikowski, Anthony F. 145). Inductive logic is still considered useful but cannot lead to necessary conclusions like in deductive reasoning. Inductive logic deals with probability, and is used to support factual, empirical claims. Inductive logic is then weaker than deductive logic however still hold some truth to them. Some forms of inductive logic are: argument from the past experience, argument by analogy, and argument by inductive generalization. These forms all deal with probability and should be tested before it is taken as fact, however one must be aware of the fallacious reasoning disguised as valid logic. â€Å"Informal logical fallacies are designed to persuade us emotionally and psychologically, not rationally† (Falikowski, Anthony F. 156). These arguments are often used by seats of power in attempt to allude a group of individuals. These forms of fallacies may be seen as forms of intimidation in hopes to divert attention from the real issues. Some of the more common informal logical fallacies are: ad hominem fallacy where you attack the person and not the issue. Straw man fallacy is where one person misrepresents the arguments of the person deliberately building a false person. Begging the question fallacy where the premise depends on the conclusion and vice versa. Other informal fallacies are two wrongs, slippery slope appealing to authority, red herring, and guilt by association. Only through understanding the informal fallacies can we deduct what we can take for truth. Logic is very prevalent today and proves quite useful on a daily basis. Through studying and familiarizing ourselves with logic we will be able to advance in society just as it has been done in the past. Logic helps us to see the truth in statements and allows us to be free from the vales of illusions. The current media and even the politics of today constantly deliberately mislead the general population and through logic we can test the validity of these arguments. Just as Socrates asked questions and sought the truth in the world we should do the same in hopes to benefit not only ourselves but our society as a whole. Works Cited Drakos, Nikos, and Ross Moore. Logic and Mathematics. Logic and Mathematics. PennState, 29 Jan. 2006. Web. 23 Feb. 2013. http://www.math.psu.edu/simpson/papers/philmath/. Falikowski, Anthony F. Experiencing Philosophy. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2004. Print. King, Peter, and Stewart Shapiro. THE HISTORY OF LOGIC. Http://individual.utoronto.ca. The Oxford Companion to Philosophy, 1995. Web. http://individual.utoronto.ca/pking/miscellaneous/history-of-logic.pdf.