Phil quiz 2 (1) Flashcards
What is the nature of logic?
- Logic as Structure: Logic provides the foundation for rational argument, offering a framework for reasoning that aspires to clarity and consistency. It has historically been seen as a neutral tool for discovering truth.
- Connection to Logos: Traditionally, logic is tied to the concept of logos, which represents reason and order in the universe.
What is logic in the eyes of foundationalists?
Foundationalists:
- Logic is central to human reasoning and reflects the rational structure of the universe.
- Philosophers like Plato, Descartes, and Kant view logic as essential for personal development and understanding reality.
- They argue that logic is universal and indispensable for accessing truth and meaning.
What is logic from the perspective of post-Nietzschean?
Post-Nietzscheans:
- Logic is one of many ways to think, not the ultimate path to truth.
- Influenced by Nietzsche, they see logic as a human construct or rhetorical tool shaped by history and culture.
- They challenge its supremacy, emphasizing the value of chaos, creativity, and other non-logical aspects of human experience.
What are the 3 views of logic?
Three Perspectives on Logic:
Strong View: Logic is intrinsic to both the human mind and the universe, reflecting their shared rational nature (e.g., Cartesian foundationalism).
Middling View: The human mind is inherently logical, but it imposes order on the universe rather than mirroring it (echoing Kant).
Pragmatic View: Logic is not innate but is a practical tool that humans adopt because it works effectively in the world.
Logic, or at least the deductive branch of it, is, essentially, the expression of three fundamental laws; name these laws.
- The law of identity
- The law of the excluded middle
- The law of non-contradiction.
Define the law of identity.
The law of identity is no more than a piece of common sense: When reasoning, identify (define) your terms clearly, and then stick to those identities.
What are the two parts or demands of the law of identity?
- Clarity:
Terms or concepts must be clearly defined to ensure everyone understands the discussion.
Example: If we define “chair,” we must identify its features (e.g., something you sit on with legs and a back).
- Consistency:
Once a term is defined, its meaning must remain consistent throughout an argument.
Example: If we call a gerbil a “widget,” we must continue using “widget” to mean gerbil, not switch meanings halfway through.
What are the limitations of the law of identity?
- Truth is Separate: Logic focuses on form, not correctness. A definition can be clear and consistent but still wrong in reality.
Example: Calling a gerbil a “widget” is logically fine, even though it’s factually incorrect.
- Abstract Terms: Abstract concepts like “justice” or “beauty” can’t be defined with the same clarity as concrete terms like “chair.”
- Equivocation: If a term has multiple meanings (e.g., “man” as “human” and “male”), it creates ambiguity, undermining the logical structure of an argument.
What is the philosophical significance of the law of identity?
The law of identity highlights the formal nature of logic: it’s about clear and consistent reasoning, not necessarily about the world or truth.
What is the law of the excluded middle?
This law – for any term ‘X,’ everything in the universe is either X or it is not X – reduces the choice to a basic two options, excluding all third (fourth, fifth, etc.) – or ‘middle’
possibilities.
This principle simplifies reasoning by dividing the world into two possibilities: something either exists or it doesn’t.
What is the importance of difference in the law of excluded middle?
Importance of Difference:
Identity and difference go hand in hand. We understand something by contrasting it with what it is not. For example, a green traffic light has meaning because it is not red or yellow.
What is the law of non-contradiction?
The law of non-contradiction states that nothing can simultaneously be in contradictory states.
In simpler terms, something cannot be both X and not-X at the same time in the same context.
Which law requires a segmented view of time?
Law of non-contradiction.
A segmented view of time, where we think of time as divided into distinct moments (like individual seconds on a clock). Without this structure, logic and measurement wouldn’t make sense, as there would be no clear “before” and “after.”
What is a paradox and what law does it challenge?
Law of non-contradiction.
A paradox is a statement whose truth value (true or false) will not stand still; if it is true, it is false and vice versa.
What is inductive reasoning?
Inductive Reasoning:
Induction draws conclusions based on experience or evidence.
- These conclusions are likely true but not guaranteed.
For example, seeing only white swans in Europe led people to conclude that all swans are white—until black swans were discovered in Australia. Induction involves making predictions about a larger group based on a limited sample, but it cannot ensure certainty.
