Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking

Module 1: Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking Prelim Period Prepared by: Kent B. Ocampo I. Introduction a. Definition of Philosophy Logic, as a field of study, is a branch of philosophy that deals with the study of arguments and the principles and methods of right reasoning. Etymologically, the term philosophy can be defined as “love of wisdom”, being wisdom a critical habit and eternal vigilance about all things and a reverence for truth, whatever its form, and wherever its place. Therefore, philosophy, as a pursuit of wisdom, is the development of critical habits, the continuous search for truth, and the questioning of the apparent. b. Different branches of Philosophy Philosophy, as an academic discipline, has its own salient features that distinguish it from other academic disciplines. Its systematic, logical and flexible approach to the ultimate reality of the universe, human life, knowledge experience, truth and values and its holistic and evolutionary nature are some the fundamental features of philosophy. Philosophy uses its major branches to deal with the most important issues human beings face, namely Metaphysics, Epistemology, Axiology, and Logic. ● Metaphysics deals with the studies of ultimate reality and existence. ● Epistemology deals with the study of the meaning, nature, source, scope and possibility of human knowledge. ● Axiology deals with the philosophical studies of human values, such as moral values, aesthetic values, as well as political and social values. ● Logic is a philosophical study of arguments and the methods and principles of right reasoning. c. Importance of Philosophy Philosophy provides various fundamental benefits to learners. It provides students with the tools they need to critically examine their own lives as well as the world in which they live, it assists them to actualize themselves by promoting the ideals of self-actualization. That is, studying philosophy helps to achieve the most important characteristic of self-actualization: ● Intellectual and Behavioral Independence ● Reflective Self-Awareness ● Flexibility, Tolerance, and Open Mindedness ● Creative and Critical Thinking ● Conceptualized and well-thought-out value systems in morality, art, politics, and the like. ● Moreover, studying philosophy helps us to deal with the uncertainty of living, meaning it helps us to realize the absence of an absolutely ascertained knowledge, and hence prepare ourselves to the ever growing human knowledge. D. Logic as the art and science of correct thinking Logic, as field of study, may be defined as the organized body of knowledge, or science that evaluates arguments. The aim of logic is to develop a system of methods and principles that we may use as criteria for evaluating the arguments of others and as guides in constructing arguments of our own. II. Idea a. Nature of Idea Ideas are the building blocks of knowledge. They are elements that constitute judgment and judgments express either truth or falsity. Ideas must be thoroughly understood because no building can be solid unless its foundation is solid. All knowledge starts with the senses. Generally speaking, nothing is in the mind unless it passes through the senses. For example, sugar as an object of perception to the various senses. The image of sugar is retained even after the obiect itself is removed because I can recall the sugar's image in my senses. Based on the above example I have an idea of sugar. This image of the imagination is the first step in the formation of an idea. Man does not stop at the mere reproduction of the image. He begins to think. It does this by the process of abstraction. ● Through sense experience we encounter many beings whom we designate by the name "man". But we found out from sensory experience that there are great differences among men. ● Comparing these differences some of them change while others disappear. The intellect also perceives that there are characters that remain intact through all the changes. b. Kinds of ideas 1.1. According to Origin 1.1.1. Intuitive - result of direct perception of things 1.1.2. Abstractive - anything that result of some other means other than immediate perception; anything obtained from deduction, reasoning, deduction, and knowledge of some other thing 1.2. According to Representation 1.2.1. Clear - it represents in such a way that it can be distinguished fromo any other object; Obscure - cannot be distinguished from any other object 1.2.2. Distinct - distinguish the object from other objects and enumerate the various attributes; Confused - cannot be distinguished and enumerated 1.2.3. Adequate - all attributes can be enumerate; Inadequate - all attributes cannot be enumerated 1.3. According to Mutual Relations 1.3.1. Connex - when one idea necessarily either includes or excludes the other ; Disparate - neither necessarily include nor necessarily exclude each other 1.3.2. Identical - when comprehension is the same; Diverse - comprehension is different 1.3.3. Compatible - attributes of the comprehension of both can be united into another idea; Incompatible - comprehension of one idea excludes the attributes of the other 1.3.4. Contradictory - denies the comprehension of the other, Privative - signifies a perfection and the other denies a perfection, Contrary - represent the two extremes among objects of a series belonging to the same class, Relative - incompatible ideas united in such a way that one cannot be understood with the other 1.4. According to Comprehension 1.4.1. Simple - one single attribute or element; Composite - more than one attribute 1.4.2. Concrete - expresses a nature or determining attribute as inherent in a subject and it always represents a thing; Abstract - when nature or determining attribute considered as separated from the subject in which it inheres 1.5. According to Extension 1.5.1. Singular - represent a single object only 1.5.2. Universal - represent some common nature of attribute which can be applied to a class as a whole and to each individual of that class 1.5.3. Particular - universals taken partly and indeterminately 1.5.4. Collective - applies to all individuals as a class, but not to the single members of the class