Formal logic under study, characteristics and examples

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Abraham McLaughlin

The formal logic, Also called theoretical logic or mathematical logic, it determines what are the valid and correct forms of reasoning. Through this practice we seek to differentiate what is correct from what is incorrect.

In formal logic, symbols are used unambiguously and as clearly as possible, so that they cannot be manipulated. Thanks to this practice it is possible to develop your own ideas.

Alfred North Whitehead was one of the proponents of formal logic. Source: Wellcome Trust [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

The word "logic" comes from ancient Greek λογικήlogikand, which means "endowed with intellectual, dialectical, argumentative reason." Logic is one of the branches of philosophy and mathematics, and is considered very useful for these disciplines.

In general, logic studies the form of thought. The first works carried out in relation to logic are attributed to the Greek philosopher Aristotle, which is why he is known as the founding father of this area of ​​thought.

Throughout history, various philosophers, mathematicians, and logicians have defended formal logic. Among them we can name the mathematician and logician Alonzo Church; the philosopher, mathematician and logician Gottlob Frege; and the also mathematician and philosopher Alfred North Whitehead.

Alfred Tarski, KurtGödel, Bertrand Russell and Willard Van Orman Quine, among others, have also been great defenders..

Article index

  • 1 Object of study
  • 2 Features
  • 3 Types
    • 3.1 Deontic logic
    • 3.2 Bivalent logic
    • 3.3 Multivalent or multipurpose logic
  • 4 Examples
  • 5 References

Object of study

Formal logic uses aspects such as reasoning, concept, judgments and demonstration as an object of study. From these elements it analyzes and studies all the resources of language and semantics, in order to reach a conclusion.

In this sense, it is established that in formal logic reasoning is studied from the structured point of view, from its validity or invalidity.

Formal logic is not an empirical study of the reasoning process. Nor should it be confused with persuasion, since it takes the structure of the arguments to obtain a conclusion.

This logic is also known as theoretical or pure logic, and seeks to carry out an abstract study of the contents or logical forms of the deductive arguments, statements, propositions and assertively used sentences..

Carrying out an exhaustive study of the formal logic patterns will allow each individual to know exactly the procedures associated with their thinking..

Characteristics

The following are the most particular characteristics that differentiate formal logic from other types of logic:

-It is a science that studies the form of the premise, unlike other types of logic that study only the material.

-It is a structure without matter.

-It is established under a subset of formal systems.

-Applies methods so efficient that through formal logic you can distinguish what is wrong from what is right.

-The conclusions of the correct or valid reasoning arise because the structure of the true premises is analyzed.

-Study and analyze people to get directly to thought, and thus be able to establish new patterns in the mind of each individual.

-It is characterized by being symbolic.

-From the point of view of a formal science, it plays an important role in mathematics, philosophy, computer science, and statistics..

-It is related to grammar due to the study of semantics.

-Study structures, which is why it is compared to mathematics.

-It is also related to psychology because it focuses on the study of the thought of each individual.

Types

Deontic logic

Comes from ancient greek δέον [τος] déon [cough] and it means "what is due" or "what is necessary". The Austrian logician Alois Höffler is the pioneer of this concept, which refers to the study and analysis of norms.

Bivalent logic

It is the type of logic that supports only true and false values. He does not believe in shades, everything is black or white; grayscale is impossible in this kind of logic.

Its principles are based on Aristotelian logic, which are identity, non-contradiction and the excluded third..

Multivalent or multipurpose logic

This type of logic was born as a result of the studies carried out by the philosophers Jan Łukasiewicz and Emil Post, in which they state that values ​​other than the already common "true" and "false" can be admitted, and that these values ​​can practically reach to infinity.

In this sense it differs from bivalent logic, which admits only two values. Studies show that multivalent or multipurpose logic handles values ​​such as possibility, necessity, non-necessity, truth, falsehood and impossibility.

Likewise, this type of formal logic is also in charge of studying the philosophical and structural aspects of the arguments..

Examples

Through formal logic it is possible to add a value of truth or falsehood to a specific reasoning.

As we have explained previously, formal logic does not focus on all the possibilities that can be extracted from an argument; it only focuses on whether this is true or false. In that sense, below we list some examples based on formal logic:

-Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina; So, all those born in Buenos Aires are Argentine.

-Joao speaks Portuguese. Joao was born in Portugal. Everyone in Portugal speaks Portuguese.

-Cows give milk. Cows are mammals. All mammals give milk.

-Pedro is white and María is brunette, so there are white and brown people.

-Maria plays in the rock orchestra. The musicians are the ones who play in the rock orchestra. Maria is a musician.

-José has black hair. Elena has brown hair. Their daughter could be born with black or brown hair.

-The foot has five toes. Human beings have a right foot and a left foot. Each person has ten toes..

-Spain is a country. Spain remains in Europe. All Spaniards are European.

- Ana is a living being. Ana is mortal. All living things are mortal.

- José got wet with water. The water gets wet.

- Maria ate her hot food. Maria got burned eating her hot food. Hot food burns.

- Earth is part of the universe. In the universe there are planets. Earth is a planet.

- The electric light illuminates. There is electric light in the streets. Electric light illuminates the streets.

References

  1. "Formal logic" in New world encyclopedia. Retrieved on April 21, 2019 from New world encyclopedia: newworldencyclopedia.org.
  2. Morton L. Schagrin Ge Hughes “Formal logic” in Retrieved on April 21, 2019 from Britannica: britannica.com.
  3. "The Logic and its classification" in Academy. Retrieved on April 23, 2019 from Academia: academia.edu.
  4. "Formal Logic" in Philosophical Dictionary. Retrieved on April 23, 2019 from Philosophical Dictionary: philosophia.org.
  5. "Multipurpose logic" in Philosophical Dictionary. Retrieved on April 23, 2019 from Philosophical Dictionary: philosophia.org.
  6. "General aspects of logic" in Club Essays (18 August 2013). Retrieved on April 23, 2019 from Club Essays: clubensayos.com.
  7. "Deontic logic" in wikipedia. Retrieved on April 23, 2019 from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org.
  8. "Multipurpose logic" on wikipedia. Retrieved on April 23, 2019 from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org.
  9. "Bivalent logic" on wikipedia. Retrieved on April 23, 2019 from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org

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