Principles of Correct Thinking (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Principles of Correct Thinking

According to the structural conception, logic is concerned with the orderly or systematic arrangements which may be found in things. This means that it is a science the primary purpose of which is the discovery of order as it exists in the objective world. On the other hand, a functional point of view is implied in the statement that logic is the science of correct thinking.

According to this conception, the purpose of logic is not the discovery Of an objective order that exists in things but rather an analysis of the propositions which we use in think ing, together with a clarification of their meanings.

There is no agreement among logicians Of the present day as to which one of these conceptions should prevail, although the tendency among many recent writers in the field is in the direction of the latter conception. Since this book is for beginners no attempt is here made to defend one or the other of these two points of View or to present the materials of the course from one point of view exclusive of the other.

Logic has sometimes been defined as an art. It has been called the art of correct thinking. The difference between a science and an art is that one has to do with knowing and the other with doing. Obviously the two are closely re lated. To carry on any kind of work successfully one must have considerable knowledge. He must know the character of the thing with which he is working and he must under stand the laws that have to do with its use. Some scientific knowledge is a prerequisite for any of the arts. On the other hand most if not all of our scientific knowledge can be used for the accomplishment of some purpose. The cor rect use of knowledge for the achievement of some end may properly be called an art.

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Charles H. Patterson, Ph.D., is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.