How Do We Reason? An Introduction to Logic (Questions in Christian Philosophy)
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
How do we think? What does a faithful use of logic look like?
Without even pausing to think about it, we exercise our capacity for rational thought. But how exactly does logic work? What makes some arguments valid and others not?
In this Questions in Christian Philosophy volume, philosopher Forrest Baird offers an introduction to logic. He considers the basic building blocks of human reason, including types of arguments, fallacies, syllogisms, symbols, and proofs, all of which are demonstrated with exercises for students throughout. In addition, he reflects on the relationship between the use of reason and the Christian faith.
With this academic but accessible primer, readers will be introduced to the basics of logic—and encouraged to reason better.
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- Offers an introduction to logic
- Considers the basic building blocks of human reason
- Examines types of arguments, fallacies, syllogisms, symbols, and proofs
- Questions in Christian Philosophy Series Introduction
Preface
- Introducing Logic
Unit I: Sentences
- The Functions of Language
- Informal Fallacies
Unit II: Syllogisms
- Standard-Form Categorical Propositions
- Standard-Form Categorical Syllogisms
- Syllogisms in Ordinary Language
Unit III: Symbols
- Symbols and Statements
- Symbols and Arguments
- Answers for Selected Assignments
Top Highlights
“So in an inductive argument, the claim is made that the conclusion follows with probability—but not with necessity—from the premise(s).” (Page 11)
“Statements, then, are bound by time, but propositions are not.” (Page 3)
“A sound argument is one in which (1) the argument is valid and (2) the premise(s) are true, which means the conclusion must be true.” (Page 17)
“The key difference between deductive and inductive arguments is not the direction of the argument but the claim about necessity that is being made. In a deductive argument, the claim is made that the conclusion necessarily follows from the premise(s).” (Pages 10–11)
“A persuasive argument is one in which (1) the argument is valid, (2) the premise(s) are true, and (3) nearly everyone (or at least the people to whom the argument is addressed) would accept the truth of the premises. In that case the conclusion must be true and should be accepted by any rational person (or at least the person to whom it is addressed).” (Page 18)
Chock full of real-life and timely examples, judiciously calibrated and measured in scope, this altogether student-friendly and accessible primer for learning—and learning well—the rudimentary principles of logic hits just the right note. An ideal choice for an introductory logic course, it can serve as at least a partial antidote to a cultural moment rife with strong emotion and unbridled passion but too often conspicuously deficient in intellectual rigor. Baird would make John Wesley proud! Warmly recommended.
—David Baggett, professor of philosophy and director of the Center for Moral Apologetics at Houston Baptist University