Scribd
Upload
10 views4 pages

Logic, Reasoning, and Critical Thinking

The document provides definitions and examples of logic, reasoning, and critical thinking, highlighting their differences and roles in forming valid conclusions. It outlines various types of reasoning, including deductive, inductive, abductive, and analogical reasoning, along with their applications. Additionally, it describes branches of logic, specifically propositional and predicate logic, detailing their components and symbolic representations.

Uploaded by

logoxin5455
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
10 views4 pages

Logic, Reasoning, and Critical Thinking

The document provides definitions and examples of logic, reasoning, and critical thinking, highlighting their differences and roles in forming valid conclusions. It outlines various types of reasoning, including deductive, inductive, abductive, and analogical reasoning, along with their applications. Additionally, it describes branches of logic, specifically propositional and predicate logic, detailing their components and symbolic representations.

Uploaded by

logoxin5455
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

1.

LOGIC, REASONING, AND CRITICAL THINKING


Definition of Logic

Logic is the study of principles and methods used to distinguish correct from incorrect reasoning.
It provides rules to structure arguments and reach valid conclusions.

Example:

 Valid Argument:
o Premise 1: All humans are mortal.
o Premise 2: Socrates is a human.
o Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

 Invalid Argument:
o Premise 1: All apples are fruits.
o Premise 2: All fruits are sweet.
o Conclusion: Therefore, all apples are sweet. (This is incorrect
because not all apples are sweet.)

Definition of Reasoning

Reasoning is the mental process of drawing conclusions from premises or evidence. It is how
humans form judgments based on given information.

Example:

 Deductive Reasoning:
o Premise: If it rains, the ground will be wet.
o Evidence: It rained.
o Conclusion: The ground is wet.

Definition of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze, evaluate, and interpret information logically to form a
reasoned judgment. It involves questioning assumptions and looking for evidence before
accepting claims.

Example:

 Instead of believing a news article at face value, a critical thinker


would check sources, verify facts, and analyze possible biases.
Differences Between Logic, Reasoning, and Critical Thinking
Aspect Logic Reasoning Critical Thinking
Definiti Study of valid Process of deriving Evaluating arguments
on reasoning conclusions critically
Focus Structure of Process of thinking Judging and
arguments analyzing information
Exampl Checking if an Drawing conclusions Questioning a claim
e argument is valid from given facts before accepting it

2. TYPES OF REASONING
1. Deductive Reasoning

 Moves from general to specific.


 If premises are true, the conclusion must be true.
 Used in mathematics, logic, and legal reasoning.
 Example:
o Premise 1: All birds have feathers.
o Premise 2: A pigeon is a bird.
o Conclusion: A pigeon has feathers.

2. Inductive Reasoning

 Moves from specific to general.


 Conclusion is probable but not guaranteed.
 Used in scientific studies, investigations, and probability.
 Example:
o Premise 1: The sun has risen every day so far.
o Conclusion: The sun will rise tomorrow. (Probable but not certain)

3. Abductive Reasoning

 Starts with an observation and seeks the most likely explanation.


 Used in medical diagnoses, forensics, and hypothesis formation.
 Example:
o Premise: The patient has a high fever and sore throat.
o Conclusion: The patient might have a throat infection.

4. Analogical Reasoning

 Compares two similar cases to conclude something about one based


on the other.
 Used in law, ethics, and decision-making.
 Example:
o Case A: A previous law allowed compensation for workers
injured on duty.
o Case B: A new law should provide compensation for remote
workers injured on duty.

3. BRANCHES OF LOGIC
1. Propositional Logic

 Also called Sentential Logic.


 Deals with statements (propositions) that are either true or false.
 Uses logical connectives like AND (∧), OR (∨), NOT (¬), IF-THEN (→).

Example:

 Statement: "If it rains (P), then the ground will be wet (Q)."
 Symbolic form: P→QP \rightarrow Q

Operat Symbol Example


or
AND P∧QP \wedge Q "It is raining AND cold"
OR P∨QP \vee Q "It is raining OR
snowing"
NOT ¬P\neg P "It is NOT raining"
IF- P→QP \ "If it rains, then ground
THEN rightarrow Q is wet"

2. Predicate Logic

 Expands propositional logic by including quantifiers and variables.


 Deals with properties of objects and their relations.

Example:

 Statement: "All humans are mortal."

o ∀x(Human(x)→Mortal(x))\forall x (Human(x) \rightarrow


 Symbolic form:

Mortal(x))
o Meaning: For all xx, if xx is a human, then xx is mortal.

Symb Meaning Example


ol
∀\ Universal quantifier (for "For all students, studying is

∃\
forall all) beneficial"
Existential quantifier "There exists a student who studies
exists (there exists) late at night"

You might also like