The principles of science : $b a treatise on logic and scientific methodJevons, William Stanley
Philosophy
The principles of science : $b a treatise on logic and scientific method
Jevons, William Stanley
Logic; Science -- Methodology
The same double operation will be necessary whenever the proposition is
not of the kind called a partial identity (p. 40). Thus AB = CD, AB =
AC, A = B ꖌ C, A ꖌ B = C ꖌ D, all require to be read from both ends
separately.
The proper rule for using the machine may in fact be given in the
following way:--(1) *Read each proposition as it stands, and play
the corresponding keys*: (2) *Convert the proposition and read and
play the keys again in the transposed order of the terms.* So long
as this rule is observed the true result must always be obtained.
There can be no mistake. But it will be found that in the case of
partial identities, and some other similar forms of propositions, the
transposed reading has no effect upon the combinations of the Logical
Alphabet. One reading is in such cases all that is practically needful.
After some experience has been gained in the use of the machine, the
worker naturally saves himself the trouble of the second reading when
possible.
It is no doubt a remarkable fact that a simple identity cannot
be impressed upon the machine except in the form of two partial
identities, and this may be thought by some logicians to militate
against the equational mode of representing propositions.
Before leaving the subject I may remark that these mechanical devices
are not likely to possess much practical utility. We do not require in
common life to be constantly solving complex logical questions. Even in
mathematical calculation the ordinary rules of arithmetic are generally
sufficient, and a calculating machine can only be used with advantage
in peculiar cases. But the machine and abacus have nevertheless two
important uses.
In the first place I hope that the time is not very far distant when
the predominance of the ancient Aristotelian Logic will be a matter
of history only, and when the teaching of logic will be placed on a
footing more worthy of its supreme importance. It will then be found
that the solution of logical questions is an exercise of mind at least
as valuable and necessary as mathematical calculation. I believe that
these mechanical devices, or something of the same kind, will then
become useful for exhibiting to a class of students a clear and visible
analysis of logical problems of any degree of complexity, the nature
of each step being rendered plain to the eyes of the students. I often
used the machine or abacus for this purpose in my class lectures while
I was Professor of Logic at Owens College.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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