BEING LOGICAL: The Basic Principles of Logic

Logic and language are connected! Three basic components to human knowledge: 1. Objective fact a cat 2. The idea of a cat 3. The word we apply to the idea, which allows us to communicate it to others. In English, cat. It all starts with the cat. If there were no real cats, there would be no idea about them and there would be no words for the idea.

Two kinds of reality: subjective and objective Subjective reality is limited to the subject experiencing it. Therefore it's only as trustworthy as the subject. Obective reality is the actual thing or event out there.

Truth
The purpose of logic and critical thinking is to arrive at truth. Two kinds of truth Ontological Truth big word for a simple meaning. Saying something is ontologically true just means it exists. Example this computer, classroom, that guy over there. Logical Truth The truth of statements. A statement is an expression in language that you can say is either true or false.

In Class Reflection
Respond to the following: Payap has a beautiful campus. What is this? Do you agree? Why or why not?

statements
A statement is an expression in language that you can say is either true or false. The Payap University campus is located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Payap University campus is a beautiful campus. The second statement is an evaluative or value statement. It is subjective opinion and should not be treated as objective fact.

The Cat egor ical st at ement

A categorical statement tells us that something is definitely the case The purpose of an argument is to demonstrate to show that something is true Argument is the activity of logic An argument is only as good as its statements The most effective argument is one whose conclusion is a categorical statement

Examples
The cat is in the house. The cat may be in the house. Categorical statements/arguments provide us with certain knowledge. It is important to back up categorical statements with good evidence.

Generalizing
What do think of the following statement: All generalizations are bad. All cats are mammals. - A universal statement uses every, all, or no Most cats have claws. -A particular statement uses some, most, only refers to part of a group The problem with generalizing is that often people use universal statements when they should use particular statements

The First Principles of Logic

1. The Principle of Identity A thing is what it is. Reality is made of separate individuals. An apple is an apple. Not an orange or a banana.

The First Principles of Logic

2. The Principle of the Excluded Middle There is no state between being and non-being. There is no becoming. Becoming is a change is something that already exists. 3. The Principle of sufficient Reason There is an explanation for everything. Nothing is the cause of itself.

The First Principles of Logic

4. The Principle of Contradiction It is impossible for something to be and not be at the same time. Example: I am in Thailand. I am in America. Sometimes we believe contradictions without knowing it ignorance Sometimes we lie to ourselves rationalize Sometimes we avoid the facts.

But Aj., What about gray areas?

Life is full of gray areas! -But don't give up on reasoning Gray relies on black and white You could not be uncertain without having been certain certainty exists There is an explanation for everything (eventually) -We seek causes because they help us understand the world (and control it)

Looking for Causes

Work backward from effects Don't stop short laziness or impatience Example: A causes B which causes C

Efficient Cause an agent whose activity brings something into existence or modifies its existence. -something that causes or changes something else Final Cause the purpose of the activity Material Cause material out of which an object is composed Formal Cause the identifying nature of a thing -How you describe it Example: a garden Not everything has all four causes

Types of Causes