What is Logic and What Function Does It Have in Knowledge Acquisition?

The Importance of Logic in Gaining Knowledge

The human brain has been studied because it is an active organ that uses reasoning. Psychology, a study embracing even the science of the mind, is the process of understanding how the brain functions. Yet, there is a subfield of knowledge known as logic, which is defined as reasoning within reasoning itself and represents a more focused kind of reasoning. Logic is a field of philosophy that focuses on thinking itself and aims to distinguish between valid and incorrect reasoning by defining what makes correct reasoning. Logic is an essential branch of philosophy that enables one to derive knowledge through intuitive, deductive, demonstrative, sensitive and tautological mechanisms.

Understanding the Origin of Knowledge

One of the ways in which logic is instrumental in the process of deriving knowledge is that it enables one to understand the origin of knowledge itself. Knowledge constitutes the various ideas that are integrated throughout one’s life. It thus follows that it is that which is acquired through intuitive means. Logic contributes to the understanding of knowledge because through it, one gets the assurance of after looking at two different issues and identifying something that it gains out of them (Stroll and Popkin 238). For instance, the application of logic in the establishment of intuitive data could take the form of affirming that white is not black because the mind is permanently clear about it and that there is no room for hesitation. Thus, whenever one thinks about whether what they are thinking is correct is right, they would have confirmed it intuitively and in the process gained knowledge.

Establishing Knowledge through Demonstration

The other way of using logic to establish on knowledge is from the context of demonstration that is an indirect way of building it. While many agreements and disagreement are usually understood in a complete intuitive mechanism, there are instances where alternative forms are sort. The knowledge in question may involve two things that have nothing in common, a scenario that may necessitate the use of demonstration as a technique of reaching a conclusion. However, before establishing knowledge through this mechanism, it is first important to take the analysis through several steps before one reaches a conclusion about the subject (Stroll and Popkin 241). It must be considered though that the conclusion is not just reached as it is because every step along the way has to be subjected through to reasoning because the process is perceived as a string of intuitions. In the end, one will realize a situation where some of the phases are certain while others are not. It is at this point that it is said that knowledge has been acquired. However, considering that the knowledge has not been gained in a certain manner, this information cannot be relied upon with the assurance gotten from simple intuition.

Gaining Sensitive Knowledge

Through logical reasoning, one can as well receive yet another form of understanding called sensitive knowledge. Before reaching intuition of demonstrative knowledge, the thinker is likely to have to have been subject to a conclusion based on trying to understand what they think is true. Logic does not, however, limit itself to knowledge that is gained through intuition but offers for other information gained through perceiving the actual existence of particular things. It is a form of knowledge relied on by almost everyone because one only needs to know about the experience that exists in their minds (Stroll and Popkin 237). It thus follows that when one is able to clear doubt about a given subject, they are perceiving logically as they will be compelled to make an assumption. When the decision reached is based on a sure concept such on the actual existence, then they will have reasoned logically and in the process build their appreciation of knowledge further.

Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

It is also worth highlighting that knowledge is an outcome of logic in the context of inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning. When reasoning takes the form of inferences that end up being conclusive, then the process is said to be deductive reasoning and it constitutes one way of getting new information (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy). It means that the knowledge gained through this way is as a result of a valid argument so that the reasons given for a particular issue are true. An example of such a case could involve the taking an argument from a general perspective to a more specific answer based on the premises that have confirmed that the conclusion is valid (Stroll and Popkin 242). For instance, in trying to figure out whether a book is new, one could go back to the premises that are used to ache the general statement about it. A premise could argue that the books in a specific store are new and another asserts that a particular book is from the stated store. The conclusion would, therefore, be that the book is new. It thus creates the need to explore a related form of knowledge that is described as inductive reasoning which is not focused on valid inferences but with inferences that create a probable value (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy). The use of deductive and inductive knowledge is thus particular relevant to a scientist because, in the process of establishing knowledge that is based on connection, one would make intuitive guesses that will enable them to examine the world.

Tautology as a Form of Knowledge

The last way of describing how logic is used in gaining knowledge is conceiving it as a form of tautology, which is a statement that has been established and cannot be denied without creating inconsistency. It constitutes a formula whose negation is unsatisfied and are termed as contradictions (Stroll and Popkin 240). The gaining of knowledge is only certain in cases where each proof is perceived in the mind and when each step confined, the conclusion is also certain. It thus means that in creating knowledge, the information only becomes relevant when one makes logically contingent assertions. For a scientist, therefore, when a concept proves to be true in every context, then it is valid and can be used in describing the acquisition of new knowledge.

Conclusion

In summary, it is worth underscoring the fact that logic is a broad concept that is more specific in nature involving questioning what the mind thinks. In the process, it is possible to gain new knowledge especially when the information gained is subject to scrutiny to determine whether it is worth and valid. The various ways in which knowledge can thus be gained through logical thinking include intuitive reasoning, demonstrative thinking, sensitive, deductive and deductive, and thorough tautology. It is thus recommended that to be more confident in the conclusion reached, one should test the new knowledge based on all these parameters to warrant satisfaction.

Works Cited

‘Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. “Deductive and Inductive Arguments.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2017): n. pag. Web.

Stroll, A., and R H Popkin. Philosophy Made Simple. Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, 1993. Print.