Is Logic Really What We’re Expected to Think With?
A practical exploration of whether ordinary humans can actually meet the logical and rational standards we value.
Abstract
We are trying to come to an understanding of whether or not logic is reallynormative for thinking and what this entails. We will do so by trying to examine, if an ordinary
human with ordinary mental faculties can reasonably be expected to fulfill the requirements or
norms, the concepts of rationality and logic may lay upon her. To establish, what one can think of as
an ordinary human with ordinary mental faculties, we will rely heavily on our own experiences,
so our views and assumptions may be considered to be in this regard heavily biased.
We will therefore first try to give a brief possible definition for logic in general, examine how and
in which cases it can be applied to thought, and then delve into possible definitions for
rationality, to properly address their possible connection. For examination of their possible
connection.
Logic can be understood as one of, if not the fundamental tool of philosophy in determining theconditions under which a sentence or set of them holds true. This is achieved through determining the logical form of linguistic expressions. And to establish a set of rules under which this can be achieved. Logic can also be understood to be the philosophical study of the laws and forms of thought. In other words, one could say that logic is normative for thinking.
However, the simplicity of this definition tends to make one skeptical and lays bare the problemwith which I want to concern myself here. If logic is normative for thinking then what exactly
does this entail?
