Where's the best place to start learning logic?

Question

Okay so I've really enjoyed getting into metaphysics lately, but I find that I'm handicapped because I can't think critically about the logic they are using to argue their views - due to the fact that I've never learnt about logic, fallacies etc [apart from the basic ones].

I've already studied for 5 years [in another field] so going to university isn't an option - does anyone know a good place to start learning logic? [Resources, websites, books etc]

Answer 1

Yes; read and learn about truth and logic from one of the very best;the late Sir karl Popper.

He was a critical logician who was and still is an excellent teacher- his explanation of (one of his heroes)bertrand Russel,another excellent writer/logician/nobel prize winner too,was of the highest order-and he knew logic/metaphysics/and the like,unlike few others before or since.

Answer 2

I really dont know... except check out the local library, book store... and certainly online, too.

Google it... I know, I hate it when people tell me "google it"... far from an answer and an easy point-gamed two-points... assuming I even care for that.

I recommend you first look up Propositional Logic, Logical Operators, Truth Tables, Consistency, Validity, Soundness, Formal Logic, Rules of Replacement, Rules of Implication, Proof, Argument, Premise, Conclusion, Prepositional Logic, Deductive Fallacies, Deductive Logic, Inductive Logic, Law of Excluded Middle, Law of Non-Contradiction, Proof by Contradiction, Conditional Proof, Informal Logic, Inductive Proof, Reductio ad absurdem, Modal Logic, Ternary Logic,... the list goes on and on.  Probabilistic Logic,...

That is of course as it applies to logic itself.  Then there is Rhetoric.  Whole subject about how to argue, types of rhetorical fallacies...

Im a bit of a novice, myself.  If you want to exchange emails or chats and help each other learn, Id be more than happy to have a partner to help me explore...

Answer 3

The best place to start is with the most accessible textbook in the field. Paul Tomassi's  "Logic" (you can find at almost any college bookstore, and of course online through amazon.com) is complete in its discussion of formal logic from Aristotelian logic through the what was being discussed at universities through the 1950s (the current stuff really can't be placed succinctly in one book, and really is not that important unless you are in the field.) Also I know you said going back to a university really is not an option, but I would say that one can always go back to school. You wouldn't be a degree seeking student, but you could audit a course in logic. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

This link is one of my favorite sources.

http://www.philosophypages.com/lg/index.... It is made simple to understand.

This one is similarly easy.

http://cas-courses.buffalo.edu/classes/p...

Here are two lists of fallacies, but it is not easy at all to read the name of one and apply it to bad logic. Often what appears to be one fallacy is actually another, and as you will see, there are many dozens of them.

http://www.don-lindsay-archive.org/skept...

http://www.iep.utm.edu/f/fallacy.htm

Answer 5

To learn logic actually means to "Understand" logic. The ability to understand logic is wisdom. A person's wisdom is mostly born with it. The only way to gain more wisdom is by experience. Just walk-on with life as you gain more experience, they will turn into wisdom, and convert your memory into the best resource to understand logic.

Answer 6

Though my peers, here, may disagree with me; most people are unaware that Charles Dodgson(a.k.a Lewis Carroll) was a brilliant mathematician and published one such text that in his day should be easily comprehended by a 14 year old... granted it took me a couple of years to grasp it..it is common-sensical... and has contributed to a lot of my thought here at Y!Answers amidst others....

1) Don't let the title fool you, 'Symbolic' is in the title and addresses logic's symbolic-form... but it addresses basic axioms and tenets of 'Formal' logic as well.

2) I'd suggest Lewis Carroll's: "Symbolic Logic and The Game of Logic"... to start with.

3) you should be able to find a decent used copy for around $5.00 or less @.....

Answer 7

If you want a really good book, one that's exactly what you're talking about and even about the exact question you have check out 2150 by Thea Alexander. This book WILL change your life. You'll think differently about any and everything.

Answer 8

My friend, the simple way is to look critically of the discussion and have questions and answers in depth, don't worry if they are too childish but with the passage of the time they will become more mature.

this is just the matter of mind,, no university, book or theory can teach u that.

Answer 9

logic comes from the brain...books and school isn't going to teach you the trick of logic...it's just simple reasoning that makes sense, it's not something that can really be learned it's something that we all have the ability for, we just don't always choose to use it...because logic usually hurts more then irrationality