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What is LOGIC
a (1) : a science that deals with the principles and criteria of
validity of inference and demonstration : the science of the
formal principles of reasoning (2) : a branch or variety of logic
<modal logic> <Boolean logic> (3) : a branch of semiotics;
especially : syntactics (4) : the formal principles of a branch of
knowledge
b (1) : a particular mode of reasoning viewed as valid or faulty
(2) : relevance, propriety
c : interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as
inevitable or predictable
Logic (from the Greek "logos", which has a variety of meanings
including word, thought, idea, argument, account, reason or
principle) is the study of reasoning, or the study of the
principles and criteria of valid inference and demonstration.
It attempts to distinguish good reasoning from bad reasoning.
Aristotle defined logic as "new and necessary reasoning",
"new" because it allows us to learn what we do not know, and
"necessary" because its conclusions are inescapable. It asks
questions like "What is correct reasoning?", "What distinguishes
a good argument from a bad one?", "How can we detect a fallacy
in reasoning?"
Logic investigates and classifies the structure of statements
and arguments, both through the study of formal systems of
inference and through the study of arguments in natural
language. It deals only with propositions (declarative
sentences, used to make an assertion, as opposed to questions,
commands or sentences expressing wishes) that are capable of
being true and false. It is not concerned with the
psychological processes connected with thought, or with
emotions, images and the like. It covers core topics such as the
study of fallacies and paradoxes, as well as specialized
analysis of reasoning using probability and arguments involving
causality and argumentation theory.
2. What is the significance of LOGIC in law and legal
practice?
Thereisgoodreasontoremainskepticalofoverlyrationalisticaccountsoflaw
andjudicialpractice.Theweaveofhistoricaldoctrine,legalprinciple,andfactual
nuancesthatgoesintoeachjudicialdecisionisfartoointricatetopermitcritical
appraisalunderanysingleevaluativemethod,includingtheprinciplesoflogic.So
we are rightfully apprehensive when we recollect the formalistic visions of
nineteenthcenturyjuristsvisionswhichfoundtheessenceofadjudicationin
thelogicalderivationofconclusionsnecessarilyrequiredbypredeterminedlegal
principles.
appeal to the psychology or sentiments of the jury, but only so far as they
reasonablyexpecttoinfluencethejurytodrawrationalinferencesintheirclients
favor.Selfinterestmaybethesoledrivingmotiveforeachpartyinthedraftingof
a contract, yet the recognition, grounded in reason, that insisting on onerous
provisions will likely undermine the entire contractual arrangement has the
tendency to hold everyones selfinterest in check. And while adjudicative
practicecallsforagooddealofvaluejudgmentinthechoice,interpretation,
and application of legal principles, such value judgments are not free of the
constraintsofreason.Asstatedbyoneappellatecourt,[E]verylegalanalysis
shouldbeginatthepointofreason,continuealongapathoflogicandarriveata
fundamentally fair result. (Sunrise Lumber v. Johnson, Appeal No. 165). To
criticize,reverse,oroverruleanadministrativeorjudicialdecisionasarbitrary,
capricious,unsupportedbylaw,orcontrarytoprecedentistosaynothing
more,butnothingless,thanthatthedecisionisdeficientinlogicandreason.
3. Argumentvs.Explanation
There are two kinds of rationale: argument and explanation.
Rational reconstruction depends critically on the ability to
distinguish one from the other. The distinction is this:
An argument is a rationale in which the reason functions as
evidence in support of the conclusion. Its purpose is to provide a
rational basis for believing the conclusion to be true.
An explanation is a rationale in which the conclusion represents
an accepted fact and the reason represents a cause of that
fact. Its purpose is to help us understand how or why that fact
occurs.
In the beginning the best way to remember the difference
between arguments and explanations is to think of them as
answering two different questions.
An argument answers the question: How do you know?
An explanation answers the question: Why is that so?
4. Argumentvs.UnsupportedOpinion
Argument Analysis
Understanding the structure of an argument
All propaganda is dangerous. Therefore, network news is
dangerous, because network news is propaganda.
Conclusion
What is a premise?
Any claim used to prove the truth of another claim in an
argument.
May be factual or opinion
What is a conclusion?
Any claim you are trying to prove in an argument
Must be an opinion
The author will sometimes use signal words to help the reader distinguish between the
premise and the conclusion
(conclusion)
Harriet should divorce Harry because he will not
Your examples:
Harry will surely get an A+ in this class. he attends regularly.
he has also submitted every assignment. He has also received
As on all of his tests, as shown by the tests in his folder.
Another Example:
He got an A+, so he probably cheated.
Consequently, he should be suspended.
Your examples:
Joan is in better shape. She works out at Ballys, and working
out at Ballys helps one to get in better shape.
All cats like warm places. Oreo is a cat, so she likes warm
places.
Kate eats salads and salads are healthy foods, so Kate eats
healthy foods.
Example:
Smoking in the workplace should be banned. Smoke damages
computer hardware and software; second hand smoke causes
many health problems, including cancer, and finally, smoking on
the job presents a poor impression to potential clients.
Your Examples:
Drinking and driving is not safe. Drinking slows down a bodys
natural reflexes, and it affects judgment.
Men can be a pain in the rear end. They can also make you cry.
Men, therefore, cause a lot of stress to women.
Another Example:
Example:
All children who go to Josies preschool are smart, so little Joey
must be smart.
Go ahead and determine what is missing, write it last, and
following the steps we went over in class, diagram this
argument.
Another Example:
All students who study hard will pass this class, and Harry has
studied very hard in this class.
5.
6.