Definitions of logic

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article divides the definitions into two classes: first are the simple definitions, that consist of a pithy
sentence characterising the topic; second are theoretical definitions, where the definition of logic turns on an
analysis the definer provides.
Contents
[hide]
1 Simple definitions of logic
2 Theoretical definitions of logic
3 Notes
4 References
Simple definitions of logic[edit]
Arranged in approximate chronological order.

The tool for distinguishing between the true and the false (Averroes).[1]

The science of reasoning, teaching the way of investigating unknown truth in connection with a
thesis (Robert Kilwardby).

The art whose function is to direct the reason lest it err in the manner of inferring or knowing (John
Poinsot).

The art of conducting reason well in knowing things (Antoine Arnauld).

The right use of reason in the inquiry after truth (Isaac Watts).

The Science, as well as the Art, of reasoning (Richard Whately).

The science of the operations of the understanding which are subservient to the estimation of
evidence (John Stuart Mill).

The science of the laws of discursive thought (James McCosh).

The science of the most general laws of truth (Gottlob Frege).

The science which directs the operations of the mind in the attainment of truth (George Hayward
Joyce).

The analysis and appraisal of arguments (Harry J. Gensler).

The branch of philosophy concerned with analysing the patterns of reasoning by which a
conclusion is drawn from a set of premisses (Collins English Dictionary)

The formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning (Penguin
Encyclopedia).
Theoretical definitions of logic[edit]
Quine (1940, pp. 23) defines logic in terms of a logical vocabulary, which in turn is identified by an
argument that the many particular vocabularies Quine mentions geological vocabulary are used in their
particular discourses together with a common, topic-independent kernel of terms.[2] These terms, then,
constitute the logical vocabulary, and the logical truths are those truths common to all particular topics.
Hofweber (2004) lists several definitions of logic, and goes on to claim that all definitions of logic are of one
of four sorts. These are that logic is the study of: (i) artificial formal structures, (ii) sound inference (e.g.,
Poinsot), (iii) tautologies (e.g., Watts), or (iv) general features of thought (e.g., Frege). He argues then that
these definitions are related to each other, but do not exhaust each other, and that an examination of formal
ontology shows that these mismatches between rival definitions are due to tricky issues in ontology.
Notes[edit]
1. Jump up^ Zekai Sen Philosophical, Logical and Scientific Perspectives in Engineering page 114
2. Jump up^ Cf. Ferreiros, 2001
References[edit]

Ferreiros, J. (2001). The road to modern logic: an interpretation. In Bulletin of Symbolic

Logic 7(4):441-483.

Frege, G. (1897). Logic. transl. Long, P. & White, R., Posthumous Writings.

Hofweber, T. (2004). Logic and ontology. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Joyce, G.H. (1908). Principles of Logic. London.
Kilwardby, R. The Nature of Logic, from De Ortu Scientarum, transl. Kretzmann, in Kretzmann N. &
Stump E., The Cambridge Translation of Medieval Philosophical Texts, Vol I. Cambridge 1988, pp. 262
ff.)
McCosh, J. (1870). The Laws of Discursive Thought. London.
Mill, J.S. (1904). A System of Logic. 8th edition. London.
Poinsot, J. (1637/1955). 'Outlines of Formal Logic'. In his Ars Logica, Lyons 1637, ed. and transl.
F.C. Wade, 1955.
Quine, W.V.O. (1940/1981). Mathematical Logic. Third edition. Harvard University Press.
Watts, I. (1725). Logick.
Whateley, R.(1826). Elements of Logic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definitions_of_logic
logic
(ljk)
n.
1. The study of the principles of reasoning, especially of the structure of propositions as disting
uished from their contentand of method and validity in deductive reasoning.
2.
a. A system of reasoning: Aristotle's logic.
b. A mode of reasoning: By that logic, we should sell the company tomorrow.
c. The formal, guiding principles of a discipline, school, or science.
3. Valid reasoning: Your paper lacks the logic to prove your thesis.
4. The relationship between elements and between an element and the whole in a set of objec
ts, individuals, principles,or events: There's a certain logic to the motion of rush-hour traffic.
5. Computers
a. The nonarithmetic operations performed by a computer, such as sorting, comparing, and m
atching, thatinvolve yes-no decisions.
b. Computer circuitry.
c. Graphic representation of computer circuitry.
[Middle English, from Old French logique, from Latin logica, from Greek logik (tekhn), (a
rt) of reasoning, logic,feminine of logikos, of reasoning, from logos, reason; see leg- in IndoEuropean roots.]
American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright 2011 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
logic
(ldk)
n
1. (Logic) the branch of philosophy concerned with analysing the patterns of reasoning by whic
h a conclusion is properlydrawn from a set of premises, without reference to meaning or contex
t. See also formal logic, deduction4, induction4

2. (Logic) any particular formal system in which are defined axioms and rules of inference. Co
mpare formal system,formal language
3. the system and principles of reasoning used in a specific field of study
4. a particular method of argument or reasoning
5. force or effectiveness in argument or dispute
6. reasoned thought or argument, as distinguished from irrationality
7. the relationship and interdependence of a series of events, facts, etc
8. (Logic) chop logic to use excessively subtle or involved logic or argument
9. (Computer Science) electronics computing
a. the principles underlying the units in a computer system that perform arithmetical and logic
al operations. Seealso logic circuit
b. (as modifier): a logic element.
[C14: from Old French logique from Medieval Latin logica (neuter plural, treated in Medieval Lat
in as feminine singular), fromGreek logikos concerning speech or reasoning]
Collins English Dictionary Complete and Unabridged HarperCollins Publishers 1991,
1994, 1998, 2000, 2003
logic
(ld k)
n.
1. the science that investigates the principles governing correct or reliable inference.
2. symbolic logic.
3. a particular method of reasoning or argumentation.
4. the system or principles of reasoning applicable to any branch of knowledge or study.
5. reason or sound judgment, as in utterances or actions.
6. the consistency to be discerned in a work of art, system, etc.
7. any connection between facts that seems reasonable or inevitable.
8.
a. the arrangement of circuitry in a computer.
b. a circuit or circuits designed to perform functions defined in terms of mathematical logic.
[132575; Middle English logik < Latin logica, n. use of neuter pl. of Greek logiks of speech or
reason. See logos, -ic]
logicless, adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright
2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
logic
(ljk)
The study of the principles of reasoning.
The American Heritage Dictionary of Student Science, Second Edition. Copyright 2014 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Logic

See also argumentation; mathematics; philosophy; thinking; truth and error.

a posteriori
the process of reasoning from effect to cause, based upon observation.
apriorism
1. the method of a priori reasoning, i.e., deductive reasoning, from cause to effect or from the
general to the particular.
2. an a priori principle.
Barbara
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the first figure, in which there are two
universal affirmativepremises and a universal affirmative conclusion.
Barmalip, Bramantip
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the fourth figure, in which there are tw
o universal affirmativepremises and a particular affirmative conclusion.
Baroco
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the second figure, in which there is on
e universal affirmativeand one particular negative premise and a particular negative conclusio
n.
Bocardo
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the third figure, in which there is one p
articular negative and oneuniversal affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion.
Camestres
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the second figure, in which there is on
e universal affirmativeand one universal negative premise and a universal negative conclusion.
Celarent
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the first figure, in which there is one u
niversal negative and oneuniversal affirmative premise and a universal negative conclusion.
Cesare
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the second figure, in which there is on
e universal negative andone universal affirmative premise and a universal negative conclusion.
Darapti
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the third figure, in which there are two
universal affirmativepremises and a particular affirmative conclusion.
Darii
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the first figure, in which there is one u
niversal affirmative andone particular affirmative premise and a particular affirmative conclusio
n.
Datisi
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the third figure, in which there is one u
niversal affirmative andone particular affirmative premise and a particular affirmative conclusio
n.
definiendum
1. an expression that has to be defined in terms of a previously defined expression.
2. anything that has to be defined. definienda, n., pl.
Dimaris
Dimatis.
Dimatis
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the fourth figure, in which there is one
universal affirmative andone affirmative premise and a particular affirmative conclusion. Also c
alled Dimaris.
Disamis

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the third figure, in which there is one p
articular affirmative andone universal affirmative premise and a particular affirmative conclusio
n.
elenchus
a syllogistic argument that refutes a proposition by proving the direct opposite of its conclusion
. elenchic, elenctic,adj.
epicheirema
a syllogism in which the truth of one of the premises is confirmed by an annexed proposition (p
rosyllogism), thusresulting in the formation of a compound argument. See also prosyllogism.
equipollence, equipollency
equality between two or more propositions, as when two propositions have the same meaning
but are expresseddifferently. See also agreement.
Felapton
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the third figure, in which there is one u
niversal negative and oneuniversal affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion.
Ferio
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the first figure, in which there is one u
niversal negative and oneparticular affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion.
Feriso
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the third figure, in which there is one u
niversal negative and oneparticular affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion. A
lso Ferison.
Ferison
Feriso.
Fesapo
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the fourth figure, in which there is one
universal negative andone universal affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion.
Festino
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the second figure, in which there is on
e universal negative andone particular affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusio
n.

Fresison
a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the fourth figure, in which there is one
universal negative andone particular affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion.
metalogic
the metaphysics or metaphysical aspects of logic. metalogical, adj.
methodology
a division of logic devoted to the application of reasoning to science and philosophy. See also c
lassification; order and disorder. methodological, adj.
polylemma
a multiple dilemma or one with many equally unacceptable alternatives; a difficult predicamen
t.
prosyllogism
a syllogism connected with another in such a way that the conclusion of the first is the premise
of the one following.
schematism
the form or character of a syllogism.
sorites
an elliptical series of syllogism, in which the premises are so arranged that the predicate of the
first is the subject of thenext, continuing thus until the subject of the first is united with the pre
dicate of the last. soritical, soritic, adj.
syllogism
a form of reasoning in which two propositions or premises are stated and a logical conclusion is
drawn from them. Eachpremise has the subject-predicate form, and each shares a common ele
ment called the middle term.
syntheticism
the principles or practice of synthesis or synthetic methods or techniques, i.e., the process of d
eductive reasoning, asfrom cause to effect, from the simple elements to the complex whole, et
c.