|
Who cares about Logic?
Most of us agree that we should be reasonable, but not everyone agrees on what it actually is to be reasonable. Logic is the study of reasoning. Aristotle developed a theory or system of logic that is believed by some to be unparalleled in its influence on the history of Western thought. The development and use of certain "truth tables" ties back to Aristotle's work and has become a standard of measurement for the reasonableness of statements. Who cares about logic? Why does logic have somewhat of a bad name in some circles? How should we arrive at conclusions? How do you arrive at your conclusions?
In public debate, particularly presidential debates, it doesn't seem that the winner is the one who's positions are most consistent with classical "reason". To the contrary, the candidate who most ingratiates himself to the viewers by his skill with humor, deflection, avoidance, and skillful rhetoric seems to get the public nod. Does this lead to sound public policy? Do we like the candidate whose ideas for public policy are the most defensible on logical grounds and reasonable? Or, do we like the candidate who is most gracious, congenial, and popular among our chosen clique?
When a heartfelt point of disagreement arises in our relationships, how do we proceed? How should we proceed? Does might make right? Is the one who makes the most money in the relationship entitled to dictate policy for the couple? What standard of truth do we reach for in attempting to put over our position as the preferable approach for solving a problem?
A certain doctrine of a particular religion holds that the way you know something to be true is by the manifestation of the "Holy Spirit" confirming the truth of it to your soul, by a "burning" in the "bosom". Is this the bottom line for you? Are our feelings fallible? Are emotions and spiritual manifestations the same thing, or are they different? Is one more reliable than the other? Have you every had very strong convictions about the truth of something with deep emotional feelings only to learn later that you were absolutely wrong? If so, did it affect your level of confidence in your own perceptions and methodology for validating truth? Will Rogers, the famous rope twirling philosopher is reported to have said, "It aint what you don't know in life that get's you.... it's what you do know... that ain't so!"
The method by which you reason is a very large and impactful aspect of who you are and very particularly who you will be able to get along with in life. We would like to think that we all resort to pretty much the same methodology for validation of truth. The truth is.... we don't.
More on logic
We think, therefore we are.... We care, therefore we act.™
|
Subscribers
