Triumph of Reason: Logic
  by Groff Schroeder

Logic. To many, logic is an inscrutable math term bandied about on Star Trek by a pointy-eared alien named Spock. But logic is more than a science fiction buzzword; it is a simple and ancient mathematical tool with important ramifications in every day life.

Some 2350 years ago the Greek philosopher Aristotle published the first works describing logic. Logic helps people to analyze the validity of complex ideas in spoken or written language. Aristotle's work on logic in conjunction with Euclid's Elements forms the foundation of modern mathematics. Syllogistic logic allows the observer to determine when linked statements (syllogisms) are true, false or fallacious. At its most basic level, logic is little more than the skeptical application of common sense. Logic is also described as deduction, or reasoning from the general to the specific.

We can use logic to analyze these statements: the sky is blue; the sky is made of air, so air is blue. We can evaluate the statements individually or together; and we can think of them as being true or false.

The sky is blue, yes that is true - except at night. The sky is made out of air? Yes, true - as long as you ignore the sky's vast background of space and lump the numerous gasses in the atmosphere together and call it air. So air is blue. Right?

First let's just ignore certain facts and assume the sky is blue. Using this assumption, the first statement is true. But just because the first statement is true does not mean that the second or third statements are true. Each of these statements can be true or false and the third statement, which uses the word so (it could also use the words then or therefore) may be true even if both previous statements are false. When all the statements are true, the deduction is valid.

The deduction that air is blue is only appears to be valid because you ignore inconvenient facts that falsify the first two statements.

If you listen carefully, you can often discover invalid logic and fallacious deductions fueling the statements of politicians and the news media. Some of these statements are so illogical it is astounding. For example, many politicians and journalists insist (despite the widely ignored protestations of no less than ten US Nobel Laureates in Economics) that if we cut dividend tax revenue we will obtain more income for the nation. Most with credit card debt would reject as ridiculous the idea of cutting their income as a solution to their unbalanced budget. Why then do so many people believe and vigorously support openly corrupt politicians and journalists who advocate it?

While fallacious statements based upon assumptions and invalid deductions are often a part of politics and journalism, many people appear to be unaware of the basics of logic and the corrosive effect lack of information has upon correct reasoning. Others often appear to fervently believe what they are told rather than recognize undeniable facts in glaring conflict with the point of view accepted by their social circle.

Just because someone tells us something is true does not mean that it is true. Simple skepticism, increasing access to information and the ancient tool of logic can help us to identify the facts.

Live long and prosper.

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