Lesson 01: Logic Who Needs It?

Question 1

What is Logic?

Answer 1

Logic is the means by which we control the processes of our reason. Logic is the scientific study of inference.

Question 2

What is Inference?

Answer 2

Inference is the process by which we move from one or more propositions to another proposition which is taken to be implied in it or them.

Question 3

What is informal argumentation?

Answer 3

Informal argumentation deals with inferences in which the truth of the conclusion is less than conclusively demonstrated. It’s possible for the premises to be true and yet for the conclusion to be false.

Question 4

What is formal argumentation?

Answer 4

Formal argumentation deals with inferences in which the truth of the conclusion is conclusively demonstrated. In other words, in a good (valid) formal argument, if the premises are true, the conclusion has to be true as well.