The Art of Logical Thinking; Or, The Laws of ReasoningAtkinson, William Walker
Philosophy
The Art of Logical Thinking; Or, The Laws of Reasoning
Atkinson, William Walker
Logic; Reasoning
2. A definition must not contain the name of word defined. Otherwise the
definition is called _a circulus in definiendo_.
3. The definition must be exactly equivalent to the species defined.
4. A definition should not be expressed in obscure, figurative, or
ambiguous language.
5. A definition must not be negative when it can be affirmative."
A correct definition necessarily requires the manifestation of the two
respective processes of Analysis and Synthesis.
_Analysis_ is a term denoting: "The separation of anything into its
constituent elements, qualities, properties and attributes." It is seen
at once that in order to correctly define an object, person or thing, it
is first necessary to analyze the latter in order to perceive its
essential and accidental properties or differences. Unless the
qualities, properties and attributes are clearly and fully perceived, we
cannot properly define the object itself.
_Synthesis_ is a term denoting: "The act of joining or putting two or
more things together; in Logic: the method by composition, in opposition
to the method of resolution or analysis." In stating a definition we
must necessarily join together the various essential qualities,
properties and attributes, which we have discovered by the process of
analysis; and the synthesized combination, considered as a whole, is the
definition of the object expressed by the term.
CHAPTER VIII.
JUDGMENTS
The first step in the process of reasoning is that of Conception or the
forming of Concepts. The second step is that of Judgment, or the process
of perceiving the agreement or disagreement of two conceptions.
_Judgment_ in Logic is defined as: "The comparing together in the mind
of two notions, concepts or ideas, which are the objects of
apprehension, whether complex or incomplex, and pronouncing that they
agree or disagree with each other, or that one of them belongs or does
not belong to the other. Judgment is therefore affirmative or negative."
When we have in our mind two concepts, we are likely to compare them one
with the other, and to thus arrive at a conclusion regarding their
agreement or disagreement. This process of comparison and decision is
what, in Logic, is called _Judgment_.
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