Logic, an introduction

by Lionel Ruby

Table Of Contents: PrefaceviiPart 1Language and Logic1Disputes: Verbal and Otherwise3A few examplesThe analysis of disputes2The Meaning of "Meaning"16Semantics and logicSigns and symbolsCommunicationThe arbitrariness of meaningsEtymologiesGrowth and change in languageSome errors of symbolism3Ambiguity45The meaning of ambiguityThe analysis of ambiguityThe types of ambiguityThe fallacies of ambiguity4The Uses of Language66Neutral, emotive, and directive wordsThe three purposes of discourseAppropriate and inappropriate languageThe logical and non-logical uses of language5The Definition of "Definition"88The importance of definitionTwo basic distinctionsThe types of definitionsThe criteria of an adequate analytical definitionPlato and the rules of definitionTruth and falsity in definitionsThe construction of definitionsPart 2Deductive Logic6Logic and Argument127Argument and assertionThe law of rationality and evasions thereof7Syllogisms, Propositions, and Terms154Introduction to the syllogismThe categorical proposition and its partsThe class-analysis of subject-predicate propositionsAffirmative and negative propositionsUniversal and particular propositionsThe four types of categorical propositionsThe distribution of terms8The Analysis of Categorical Syllogisms176The definition of the syllogismBasic words in the analysis of categorical syllogismsPreliminary analysis of categorical syllogismsThe rules of the categorical syllogismThe diagramming of syllogismsThe corollaries, figures, and moodsA note on deductive systems9Semantics and the Syllogism205The need for semantical analysisSentences in irregular formsEquivalent propositions10The Syllogism and Everyday Discourse226Syllogisms and ordinary discourseA syllogism has three and only three termsThe analysis of syllogisms in everyday discourseThe enthymemeThe soritesThe relations between terms generalized11The Relations Among Propositions245Relations with respect to truth and falsityThe seven relationsThe square of opposit

Genres: Philosophy, Logic

522 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[Myron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The definitive introduction to logic, not the mush published today which embraces the notion of illogic such as the occasional violation of the law of excluded middle--anything is either A or not-A, or anything is either A or its contradictory. Absolute truth, syllogisms, Euclidean geometry, etc. An important read and reference.

[Christopher Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter 2 is useless nominalist nonsense, but the rest of the book is an enlightening treatise of the power of reason to guide man's life to flourishing. I know this is rather vague but I don't have time to write a longer review because I have a life to live. Read the book and reap the rewards that I have described.

[Gerardo B. Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I learned so much from this book. I will definitely read it again.

[Berry Muhl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more concise and elementary than Joseph's introductory work. I would reverse the order in which I read these, making this one the true introduction. It covers much the same ground, but with far fewer parenthetical digressions and footnotes, and with less focus on philosophy and its history. As a bonus, it provides some coverage on symbolic logic and statistics.