What is Logic?

[chris]

I've just started this thread after looking through a number of threads and noted how much confusion there seems to be about what logic is and can do (especially many theists who seem to be of the opinion that logic alone can proove the existence of a deity).

I'll give my pennys woth to start off.

Logic is purely the manipulations of a set of axioms (starting assumptions) using a number of agreed manipulation rules to arrive at a result. The only subject for which logic alone is of use is in Mathematics. If we extend logic alone being used to describe Life, the Universe and Everything, we have Philosophy (I would include Theology here too). when logic is used with careful observation and experimentation, then we have Science.

I'd be interested to see what others think.

All the best

Chris

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

The only subject for which logic alone is of use is in Mathematics. If we extend logic alone being used to describe Life, the Universe and Everything, we have Philosophy (I would include Theology

Formal logic is also a distinct area of philosophy. It may be based on axioms or theorems.

Perhaps do some research on the discipline of logic.I think your view may be a smidge simplistic.

In formal logic, a formal system (also called a logical calculus[citation needed]) consists of a formal language and a set of inference rules, used to derive (to conclude) an expression from one or more other premises that are antecedently supposed (axioms) or derived (theorems). The axioms and rules may be called a deductive apparatus. A formal system may be formulated and studied for its intrinsic properties, or it may be intended as a description (i.e. a model) of external phenomena.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_system

[Watson]

I have to agree with your description on almost every count. It seems accurate enough to me that we take base assumptions and observations and apply intuitive knowledge and understanding to them to reach conclusions. However, I wouldn't say that there are necessarily 'manipulation rules' as you put it, because those could never be thoroughly agreed upon. Logic isn't really a toy, it is that which is intuitive and beneficial to the user and the biggest overall group.