It will be easier to think of logic as any
systematic method used to figure something out.
This course deals with two broad categories of logic.
Informal Logic: Dr. Paul's definition
emphasizes this. One must confront their attitude, their
psychological blocks, and their environment. How do these
things influence one's ability to reason? Informal logic
also deals with parts of reasoning pertaining to content.
For instance, it is important to evaluate the rhetorical
devices which communicators use to manipulate us?
Formal Logic: The structure of
language (the grammar) has an influence on the degree of
certainty with which an inference can be drawn. Formal logic
deals with the form or structure of an argument.
1. Watts, Isaac, Logic (Morgan,
PA: Soli Deo Gloria, 1996), pp. 4-6.
