CONCEPT OF LOGICAL THINKING

1. Logic

Definition                                                

Logic is all about search for the truth based on available fact. It seeks to encourage people to think and to produce better ideas in order to convince others. Logic is also the study of how one thing relate or differs from another thing. For instance, how truth or falsity of one thing relate to the truth and falsity of another. If you say that something is sweet, you are indirectly saying that there are other things that are not. In that context, you have to give facts to explain what you mean that something is sweet/bitter. We may conclude that Logical thinking is argument based on reason as opposed to feelings where someone makes use of his/her brains and mind to argue and provide knowledge on any particular issue.

Principles of Logic:

1.     Law of identity: This states that whatever is, is, or A is A. This Principle is actually saying that: If a proposition is true, then it is true.

2.     Law of contradiction: This states that nothing can both be and not be, or nothing can be both A and not A. This Proposition is actually saying; No Proposition is both true and false.

2. SOME TERMINOLOGIES IN LOGIC

 - We shall now examine  some terminologies involved in logic.

Structure or form – this simply means the skeleton or frame on which logic is built, just like laying foundation before building a house. If the structure of logic is not well built, the conclusion will be questionable. Simply put, the flow of logic must be well arranged in order to reach a truth conclusion.

Syllogism – this is three structure of an argument. It is channel of argument that composes of: major and minor premises and conclusion.

1.      All men are mortal

2.     The President is man

3.     Therefore, the President is mortal

Premise – this is either the two of the propositions from which the conclusion is made. It is an assumption which could be true or false, this will lead to an acceptable or unacceptable conclusion.

Example of TRUE PREMISE is as shown above. If the major and minor premises are true, the conclusion will be true.

Example of FALSE PREMISE:

1.     All Igbo people are fair in complexion

2.     Eno Ekeruke is fair in complexion

3.     Therefore, she is an Igbo

LOGICAL FALLACY – this is error in reasoning which deceives people to accepting an invalid or false conclusion. Example

1      All  Nigerians speak correct English

2      Goodluck’s wife is a Nigerian

3      Therefore, she should speak correct English

Types of Fallacies – we have two types – Formal and Informal

Formal fallacy occurs when the rule of logic is not followed or broken ie when the three structure (syllogism) is not followed,

Informal fallacy occurs as a result of errors made in speech or in writing based on language. EG:

1       Fallacy of ambiguity – this is when a word has more than one meaning. Eg I am going to COURT (court has many meanings – a place where case is settled, where sports is done and being in relationship)

2      Fallacy of Incompatibility – this is when two words that do not go together are used in sentence construction. Eg  The sun is raining (sun does not rain, it shines)

3      Fallacy of composition – this occurs when one uses wrongly what is a feature a particular thing to talk about many thing or many people. Eg Ahmed has big head, there he is intelligent ( big head does not mean good brain, it might be sign of foolishness)

3. ANALOGY

This is an act of comparing one thing with another thing because they share the same features. It is like making reference to an existing something. For instance, Nigeria fought and won Ebola so COVID 19 could be won by using the same format. Analogy may be used in decision making but that does not mean it is usually 100% correct. Example:

1.      Adamu is a handsome man

2.     Jibril looks like  his father  - Adamu

3.     Therefore Jibril is handsome

GENERALIZATION – This is the kind of information or conclusion derived from the SAMPLE of POPULATION. From few quantity of a thing, you can draw inference about the general lot. Eg:

1.      Corruption unites NIGERIANS

2.     Lawal is a Nigerian Senator

3.     Therefore, Lawal is corrupt.      Here corruption is generalised as a uniting factor.

INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE REASONING

Inductive reasoning is a logical process that involves using specific experience, observations or facts to evaluate a situation. This is an essential tool in statistics, research, probability and day-to-day decision making. For instance, when you use  a specific set of data or existing knowledge from past experiences to make decision, you are using inductive reasoning.

Types of Inductive Reasoning

1.     Inductive Generalization – this type involves considering from past similar situation to create a conclusion. Eg Large samples, Random sampling and Counter- example.

2.     Statistical Induction – this uses statistics data to draw conclusions. This makes use of assumption.

-       90% of the sales team met their quota last month

-       Pat is on the sales team.

-       Pat likely met his sales quota last year.

3.     Casual Reasoning – this involves making a logical connection between a cause and a likely effect. This uses strong observable evidence as point of inference.

-       Hauwa consistently gets a stomach ache after eating pears.

-       She doesn’t get a stomach ache consistently after eating any other type of fruit.

4. Differences between Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

1.     Inductive reasoning uses experience and proven observations to guess outcome of an issue while Deductive uses theories and beliefs to rationalise and prove a specific conclusion.